Bed

ABSTRACT

A bed according to an embodiment may include a topper, at least one firmness adjuster provided under the topper, and a bedframe configured to have an adjustable position and to support the firmness adjuster. There may be a plurality of firmness adjusters corresponding to a plurality of areas of the bed, and each firmness adjuster may include a plurality of cushions provided in a cushion case and a drive to adjust the firmness of the plurality of cushions. The drive may change a position of a first spring relative to a second spring in each of the cushions to change a perceived firmness by a user lying on top of the topper and the firmness adjusters. A dryer may be provided under the bedframe to keep the cushions and topper dry.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to KoreanApplication 10-2020-0042008, 10-2020-0042009, 10-2020-0042010,10-2020-0042012, 10-2020-0042015, 10-2020-0042018, 10-2020-0042019,10-2020-0042020, and 10-2020-0042021, all filed on Apr. 7, 2020, whoseentire disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bed.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mattresses provide cushioning for a bed and may be a spring mattress, asponge mattress, a memory foam mattress, or include some other elasticmaterial. Traditionally, most modern mattresses are spring mattresses,though memory foam mattresses or toppers are increasing in popularity.Mattresses may also use a combination of elastic materials, such as ahybrid coil spring and memory foam mattress.

In a spring mattress, coil springs may be complicatedly entangled toform a single cushion member. However, such complicated coil springmattresses have a disadvantage in that vibrations from an elastic forceof one spring are easily transmitted to another spring such that, whenone person lies down on a side of the mattress, vibration or movementmay be felt by another person sitting or lying on another side of themattress, causing discomfort. Some coil spring mattresses may have aplurality of springs in pockets to reduce an amount of vibrations ormovement propagating from one side of the mattress to another.

However, such spring mattresses, including the pocket type mattress, isnot readily adjustable in firmness or cushion strength. A desiredfirmness of the mattress may vary according to a user's gender, age, andphysical condition. When two or more users use the same mattress, theusers may have to compromise on a firmness, as different sides orportions of the spring mattress cannot be easily adjusted or customized.

Various studies and efforts have been made to implement a bed in whichfirmness may be set differently according to a position of where theuser lies down or based on where a user's body touches the mattress.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,908,693 (granted Mar. 22, 2011) discloses a coil-in-coilspring for a mattress. The coil-in-coil spring has an inner springhaving a weak elastic strength and an outer spring having a largeelastic strength. The outer spring is longer than the inner spring, andthe inner and outer springs are provided in a pocket.

Since a length and elasticity of the inner spring and the outer springare set differently, firmness differs depending on a magnitude of a loadacting on an upper surface of the coil-in-coil. When the user lies onthe mattress, an amount of contraction or compression of the springvaries for each body part where the load acts differently. However, thefirmness is the same or similar for every user or load at a certainweight. The user may not adjust the firmness of the mattress accordingto his particular desire; rather his weight is what determines thefirmness.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,119,478 (granted Sep. 1, 2015) discloses a plungermatrix mattress having a plurality of dual-spring plungers, which haveinner and outer tension springs. The firmness of the mattress may befreely set at different predetermined “zones” or positions according tothe user's selection. However, from the contents disclosed in FIGS. 3Ato 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 9,119,478, a number of zones is limited, and avariable range of the elastic strength is narrow. In addition, since thefirmness is adjusted by hand, the firmness at multiple positions orzones cannot be simultaneously adjusted.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,043 (granted Sep. 4, 2012) discloses a base plateand a support plate rotatably coupled to the base plate. An elasticstrength of a support element is adjusted by a rotation of the supportplate. A firmness may be set within a range by a user in rotating, byhand, the support plate.

In the case of the disclosed coil-in-coil mattress, plunger matrixmattress, and base plate and support plate mattress, sweat or otherbodily fluids may permeate a surface of the mattress touching the skin,and in summer, when the humidity is high, not only the mattress but alsothe sheets may be wet or moist, causing discomfort. If the mattress iskept wet for a long time, the mattress is very likely to be contaminatedwith mold or mites.

In order to improve this problem, U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,579 (granted Mar.26, 2013) discloses a climate controlled bed having a thermoelectricdevice and air distribution device to supply hot or cold air to themattress. However, there is a disadvantage in that hot or cold air isnot smoothly or evenly supplied to the mattress.

The above references are incorporated by reference herein whereappropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternativedetails, features and/or technical background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bed according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bed of FIG. 1 showing a state inwhich an upper portion of the bed is raised or tiled by an angle;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bed of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bed cut along 4-4 of FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a topper of the bed of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the topper cut along 6-6 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from above of a bedframe constituting thebed of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the bedframe as viewed from below;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the bedframe in a horizontal state;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the bedframe in a state in which an upper bodyframe and a thigh frame are tilted upward;

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the motion controller cutalong 11-11 of FIG. 7 in the state of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a view showing a coupling relationship between a firmnessadjuster and the bedframe constituting the bed of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a partition or partition cushionaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a cushion according to anembodiment;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the cushion;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the cushion;

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of an upper cover constituting acushion according to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an inner case constituting a cushionaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an outer case constituting a cushionaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a state in which an outer case, an innercase, and a lead screw constituting a cushion are coupled;

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cushion cut along 21-21of FIG. 14 in a state in which no external force is applied;

FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cushion member cut along21-21 of FIG. 14 in a state in which an external force is applied;

FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of a firmness adjuster according toan embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the firmness adjuster accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a firmness adjuster accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing a bottom structure of acushion case constituting the firmness adjuster;

FIG. 27 is a cut-away perspective view of a bedframe taken along 27-27of FIG. 23;

FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the firmness adjuster according to anembodiment from which a bottom case is removed;

FIG. 29 is a bottom perspective view of the bed of FIG. 1 provided witha drying module or dryer;

FIG. 30 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bed cut along 30-30 ofFIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the drying module;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a bed according to another embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bed taken along 33-33 inFIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view of the bed of FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a bottom perspective view of cushion module or assembly and abedframe combination according to an embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view from above of a combination of a bedframeand a guard frame according to an embodiment;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view from below of a combination of a bedframeand a guard frame according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of a motion generator of the bedframecut along 38-38 of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a longitudinal sectional view of a motion generator cut along39-39 of FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing the operation of the bedframeaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 41 is a longitudinal sectional view of the motion controller cutalong 41-41 in FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing an enlargedview of the firmness adjuster being coupled to the bedframe according toan embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a drying module of the bed of FIG. 2;

FIG. 44 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a bed cut along 44-44of FIG. 43 with a topper placed on an upper side of the drying module;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view from above of a bed according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view as viewed from below of the bed of FIG.45;

FIG. 47 is an exploded perspective view of the bed of FIG. 45;

FIG. 48 is a longitudinal sectional view of a mattress set cut along48-48 of FIG. 45;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a seating plate constituting a mattressset for the bed of FIG. 45.

FIG. 50 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a seating plate cutalong 50-50 of FIG. 49;

FIG. 51 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the seating platecut along 50-50 of FIG. 49 in a tilted state of the bedframe;

FIG. 52 is an exploded perspective view of a mattress set and a dryingmodule constituting the bed of FIG. 45;

FIG. 53 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bed taken along53-53 of FIG. 46;

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of a bedframe showing a state in which theupper body frame is tilted;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of a firmness adjuster according to anembodiment in which a buffer plate is coupled to an upper surface of thecushions;

FIG. 56 is a bottom perspective view of the buffer plate;

FIG. 57 is a view showing a point at which a user's weight to be laidupright is concentrated on a body pressure sensing sheet provided on abed according to an embodiment;

FIG. 58 is a view showing a point where weight is concentrated when auser lies on the side of the body pressure sensing sheet;

FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling the firmness of abed of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 60 to 63 are display screens of the body pressure regulator shownin the process of performing the method of controlling the cushionstrength of the bed of FIG. 1;

FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling the firmness of abed according to another embodiment present invention; and

FIGS. 65 and 66 are display screens of a body pressure regulator shownin a process of performing a method for controlling a firmness of a bedaccording to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a bed 10 according to an embodiment mayinclude a bed cover 11 and a topper 12 on which a user's body is placed.A cushion module or assembly 20 may be provided under the topper 12. Thecushion module 20 may alternative be referred to as a main body ormattress body, and the cushion module 20 and topper 12 may form amattress or mattress set. The cushion module 20 may include a pluralityof cushions C arranged in sections separated by at least one longercushion or partition 40. The sections of the cushions C may correspondto individual firmness adjusters M1 described later. A plurality offirmness adjusters M1 may correspond to various areas of the bed thatmay be independently adjusted in firmness, while all of the cushions Cin a particular firmness adjuster M1 may be adjusted uniformly or by onedrive described later.

An adjustable bedframe 30 may be placed under the cushion module 20 tosupport the cushion module 20, and may alternatively be referred to as amattress support or a motion controller. Portions of the bedframe 30 maybe moveable so as to customize an overall shape or orientation of thebedframe 30. A safe guard or cover 13 may surround an edge of thebedframe 30 and cushion module 20 to protect the bedframe 30 and cushionmodule 20 from collisions. The safe guard 13 may be or include a boxframe.

Hereinafter, “strength,” “cushion strength,” or “firmness” may beunderstood to mean a degree of softness or hardness of the bed. Thefirmness of the bed that a user prefers may vary depending on a user'sage, physical condition, or simply taste or preference. For this reason,the bed 10 according to embodiments disclosed herein is characterized inthat a user may adjust the firmness of the bed through manipulation ofthe cushion module 20.

The bed cover 11 may cover the topper 12 and surround the topper 12 andthe safe guard 13. The bed cover 11 may alternatively be referred to asa cover sheet and may be optional. The bed cover 11 may have a size thatcompletely surrounds upper and side surfaces of the safe guard 13 todefine upper and side surfaces of the bed 10. Alternatively or inaddition thereto, the bed cover 11 may be formed to cover a bottom ofthe bed 10.

In addition, the bed cover 11 may be made of or include an elasticmaterial (e.g., a fitted sheet) so as to always maintain a taut ortensioned state. When the bed 10 is inclined or bent according to anoperation of the bedframe 30, the bed cover 11 may be stretched. Whenthe bedframe 30 returns to a flat state, the bed cover 11 may becontracted back to its original or initial state.

The user's body may lie on the bed cover 11 and/or the topper 12. Thetopper 12 may include an elastic foam (e.g., latex foam or memory foam)mattress or layer that is depressed by the user's weight and returns toits original or initial state when the load is removed.

The cushion module 20 may be an assembly or array of cushions C arrangedin a grid form from a head of the bed 10 to a foot of the bed 10. Thecushions C may extend vertically from a bottom of the bed 10 toward atop of the bed 10. The cushions C may have a cylindrical shape, butembodiments disclosed herein are not limited. Each cushion C may beprovided in a cushion case 21. As an optional alternative, there may besome cushions C not provided in a cushion case 21 and coupled to thebedframe 30 (e.g., at a head or foot of the bedframe 30). In such anembodiment, a tension of the cushions C may be independently adjustableby hand, or each individual cushion C may have its own drive or motor.Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

The partition 40 may be interposed between adjacent cushion cases 21 athinge points of the bedframe 30. A distance between adjacent cushions Cand cushion cases 21 on opposite sides of a hinge point may be largerthan a distance between adjacent cushions C and cushion cases 21elsewhere. Such an arrangement may minimize interference betweencushions C at the hinge point during an operation of the bedframe 30.When a user's body part lies at or near the hinge point, the partition40 may provide support and/or cushioning the body part so that the usermay feel more comfortable while lying down.

The safe guard 13 may prevent a user's leg or knee from colliding withthe cushion module 20 or bedframe 30, which may cause pain or injury.The safe guard 13 may be formed of a soft or elastic material such as asponge, latex foam, or memory foam. Alternatively, the safe guard 13 maybe a box frame including a soft or elastic material provided at an outerside.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a bottom surface of the topper 12 maycontact an upper surface of the cushion C. The topper 12 may include atopper body 121 having a hexahedral shape or a shape that corresponds toa shape of the bedframe 13 (e.g., an elliptical or stadium shape for acradle or daybed). The topper body 121 may have a predeterminedthickness.

A cushion support sleeve 122 may extend from (or alternatively be formedwithin) a bottom surface of the topper body 121 to support sides of thecushion C. A cushion groove or recess may be formed by the cushionsupport sleeve 122, and an upper end of the cushion C may be insertedinto the cushion groove 123. A partition support sleeve 125 may extendfrom (or alternatively be formed within) the bottom surface of thetopper body 121 to support sides of the partition 40. A partition groove124 may be formed by the partition support sleeve 124, and an upper endof the partition 40 may be inserted into the partition groove 124.

The cushion support sleeve 122 may have a hollow cylindrical shape or ashape corresponding to the cushion C such that an inner contour of thecushion support sleeve 122 corresponds to an outer contour of thecushion C. The partition support sleeve 125 may have a rectangularcross-sectional shape or a cross-sectional shape corresponding to across-sectional shape of the partition 40 such that an inner contour ofthe partition support sleeve 125 corresponds to an outer contour of thepartition 40. The cushion and partition support sleeves 122 and 125 maysecure the topper 12 to the cushion module 20 so as to prevent or reducea movement or sliding of the topper 12 when the user gets on or off thebed during sleep, or during an operation of the bedframe 30. Forexample, the cushion and partition support sleeves 122 and 125 may bemade of a rubber material configured to grip the cushion C and thepartition 40, but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the bedframe 30 may include a base or bottomframe 35 placed on an installation surface (e.g., a floor, a box spring,or bed platform, or a bigger bedframe). Alternatively, the base frame 35may be a plate. A seating or upper frame 37 configured to move or changeorientation may be provided above the bottom frame 35. The seating frame39 may define an upper surface of the bedframe 30 on which the cushionmodule 20 is placed. A support frame or connection bar 36 may connectthe base frame 35 and the seating frame 37.

The seating frame 39 may include a plurality of frames or supportsconfigured to move, pivot, and/or incline relative to each other (seeFIG. 10). The plurality of frames may be hinged to each other, butembodiments disclosed herein are not limited. For example, the seatingframe 39 may include an upper body or main frame 31 configured tosupport a user's upper body or torso, a hip or bottom frame 32configured to support a user's hip area, a thigh or upper leg frame 33configured to support a user's thigh or upper leg, and a calf or lowerleg frame 34 configured to support a user's calf or lower leg. The upperbody, hip, thigh, and calf frames 31, 32, 33, and 34 may alternativelybe referred to as upper body, hip, thigh, and calf supports. The upperbody frame 31 may alternatively be referred to as a torso frame.

The seating frame 39 is not limited to upper body, hip, thigh, and calfframes 31, 32, 33, and 24. For example, there may be an optionalheadrest or neck and shoulder support configured to support a user'shead, neck, and/or shoulders. Such an optional headrest may move, pivot,or incline with respect to the upper body frame 31. As another optionaladdition, there may be a lumber or lower torso support configured tosupport a user's lumbar and which may move, pivot, or incline relativeto the upper body frame 31 (which may be a shoulder frame) and the hipframe 32.

A front or upper end of the upper body frame 31 (at a head of the bed10) may be defined as a head of the bedframe 30, and a rear or lower endof the calf frame 34 (at a foot of the bed 10) may be defined as a footof the bedframe 30. Here, a front-rear direction may be a directionextending between the head and foot of the bed 10. A rear end of theupper body frame 31 may be tiltably or rotatably connected (e.g.,hinged) to a front end of the hip frame 32, and a front end of the thighframe 33 may be tilted or rotatably connected (e.g., hinged) to a rearend of the hip frame 32. A rear end of the thigh frame 33 and a frontend of the calf frame 34 may be connected to be relatively rotatable(e.g., via a shaft, pin, or hinge structure).

The upper body frame 31 may include an outer frame 311, a plurality offirst plates or bars 312, and a plurality of second plates or bars 313.The first bars 312 may alternatively be referred to as left-right bars,upper bars, or cushion seating plates. The second bars 313 mayalternatively be referred to as front-rear bars, lower bars, orconnection bars.

The outer frame 311 may have a rectangular shape, a stadium, or a curvedrectangular shape, and may define a front end (or head), a rear end, andboth side ends (i.e., left and right ends corresponding to left andright sides of a lying human body) of the upper body frame 31. Theplurality of second bars 313 may connect the front end and the rear endof the outer frame 311 and may be spaced apart from each other in theleft-right direction of the outer frame 311. The plurality of first bars312 may connect the left end and the right end of the outer frame 311and may be spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction ofthe outer frame 311. Accordingly, the plurality of second bars 313 andthe plurality of first bars 312 may be arranged to be perpendicular toeach other in a grid or lattice structure.

At the left and right corners of the front end of the outer frame 311, apair of vertical bars 314 may extend in the vertical direction, and thepair of vertical bars 314 may be attached to the horizontal bar 315. Aninclined bar 316 may extend from the lower end of each of the pair ofvertical bars 314 to the rear end of the outer frame 311.

The pair of vertical bars 314 may transmit a vertical load applied tothe outer frame 311 to the installation surface, thereby preventing theouter frame 311 from bending due to the vertical load. The vertical loadmay be understood as a combined load of a user's upper body, the cushionmodule 20, and a partial load of the topper 12.

The horizontal bar 315 may prevent the lower ends of the pair ofvertical bars 314 from being bent in a direction away from each other orin a direction closer to each other due to the vertical load. Theinclined bar 316 may prevent the pair of vertical bars 314 from bendingforward or backward of the bedframe 30 due to the vertical load.

A frame portion or bar may function as a hinge axis or rotation centerof the outer frame 311. A rotation center of the upper body frame 31 maybe defined as an upper hinge axis. The upper hinge axis may be definedby a bar at a rear end of the outer frame 311 of the upper body frame31.

An upper actuator 37 may be mounted on a bottom surface of the outerframe 311 to rotate the upper body frame 31 around the upper hinge axis.The upper actuator 37 may include a drive 371 and a plunger 372 that isextended or contracted by the drive 371. When the plunger 372 extendsforward toward a front end of the upper body frame 31, the upper bodyframe 31 may rotate upward, and when the plunger 372 is retractedbackward toward the rear end of the upper body frame 31, the upper bodyframe 31 may rotate downward.

A fastening flange may fix the upper actuator 37 to a bottom of theseating frame 39. The fastening flange may include a plunger fasteningflange 317 to which a front end of the plunger 372 may be rotatablyconnected, and a drive fastening flange 318 to which a rear end of thedrive 371 is rotatably connected.

In addition, the plunger fastening flange 317 may be formed on thebottom surface of the upper body frame 31, and the drive fasteningflange 318 may be formed on the bottom surface of the hip frame 32. Theplunger fastening flange 317 may be formed at a higher position than thedrive fastening flange 318. A horizontal line (or horizontal plane)passing through the plunger fastening flange 317 and a horizontal line(or horizontal plane) passing through the drive fastening flange 318 maybe spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction.

With this structure, the plunger 372 may be provided to be inclinedwhile the seating frame 39 may extend horizontally. When the plunger 372is extended, the upper body frame 31 may rotate upward so as to bendwith respect to the hip frame 32. If the plunger 372 is retracted in ahorizontal state, the upper body frame 31 may not rotate smoothlyupward.

The hip frame 32, like the upper body frame 31, may include an outerframe 321, at least one first bar or cushion seating plates 322, and aplurality of second bars or connection bars 323. The outer frame 321 mayhave a rectangular shape by four bars. A plurality of upper hinge shaftbrackets 324 may be spaced apart from each other in the left-rightdirection on a bottom surface of a front end of the outer frame 321. Arear end of the upper body frame 31 may be installed through theplurality of upper hinge shaft brackets 324 so that the rear end of theupper body frame 31 may be rotatably connected to the front end of thehip frame 32.

The hip frame 32 may further include a load support bar 328 connecting abottom of the front end and a bottom of the rear end of the outer frame321. The drive fastening flange 318 may be connected to the front end ofthe load support bar 328. When the upper body frame 31 is tilted upward,the load support bar 328 may transmit a vertical load to the upperactuator 37 to prevent the drive fastening flange 318 from being pushedbackward.

A lower actuator 38 may be mounted on the lower side of the hip frame 32so that the rear end of the thigh frame 33 may be tilted in the verticaldirection. Like the upper actuator 37, the lower actuator 38 may includea drive 381 and a plunger 382. A drive fastening flange 326 to which thedrive 381 of the lower actuator 38 is rotatably connected may beprovided at a bottom surface of the front end of the hip frame 32. Aplunger fastening flange 327 to which an end of the plunger 382 of thelower actuator 38 is rotatably connected may be provided at the bottomsurface of the front end portion of the thigh frame 33.

In addition, the drive fastening flange 326 may be positioned higherthan the plunger fastening flange 327. The upper actuator 37 may bemounted on the bottom of the seating frame 29 such that the plunger 372is inclined upward, and the lower actuator 38 may be mounted on thebottom of the seating frame 39 such that the plunger 382 is inclineddownward.

The support frame 36 may extend to the bottom of the hip frame 32, andthe lower end of the support frame 36 may be connected to the base frame35. The base frame 35 may have a substantially rectangular shape and mayhave rounded corners, but a shape of the base frame 35 is not limited.

The support frame 36 may include a pair of frames extending downwards atleft and right sides (or alternatively front and rear sides) of the hipframe 32. The pair of frames of the support frame 36 may be referred toas a left support frame and a right support frame. The lower end of theleft support frame may be connected to the left side of the base frame35, and the lower end of the right support frame may be connected to theright side of the base frame 35. The support frame 36 and the base frame35 may be formed integrally as one body, but embodiments disclosedherein are not limited.

The bottom surface of the support frame 36 may pass through a samehorizontal surface as the bottom surface of the base frame 35. When thebedframe 30 is placed on the installation surface, the support frame 36and base frame 35 may prevent the bedframe 30 from shaking in theleft-right direction. The support frame 36 may be further provided onthe bottom of the hip frame 32 corresponding to the inner space of thebase frame 35.

An optional frame or bar having a same shape as the support frame 36 maybe provided on the left edge and the right edge of the hip frame 32,respectively. When a support frame having the same shape as the supportframe 36 is further provided at the left and right edges of the hipframe 32, a vertical load acting from the topper 12 and the cushionmodule 20 may be transmitted to the installation surface, and bending orsagging of the left and right ends of the hip frame 32 may be reduced orprevented.

An optional support frame or bar having a same or similar shape as thesupport frame 36 may be formed at the left and right side ends of thethigh frame 33 and the left and right side ends of the calf frame 34,respectively, as shown. The optional support frame provided at the calfframe 34 is indicated in FIG. 9 as 34B.

A support structure defined by the vertical bar 314 and the horizontalbar 315 formed at the front end of the upper body frame 31 may be formedin the same manner at the rear end of the calf frame 34. A plurality oflower hinge shaft brackets 325 may be formed on the bottom surface ofthe front end of the hip frame 32. Like the plurality of upper hingeshaft brackets 324, the plurality of lower hinge shaft brackets 325 maybe spaced apart from each other in the left and right direction of thehip frame 32.

A frame or bar defining a front end of the thigh frame 33 may passthrough the lower hinge shaft bracket 325 so that the front end of thethigh frame 33 is at or adjacent to the rear end of the hip frame 32.The bar of the front end of the thigh frame 33 may be a rotation centerof the thigh frame 33 and define as a lower hinge axis.

The thigh frame 33 may have a shape substantially symmetrical with thehip frame 32, but a shape of the thigh frame 33 is not limited.Front-rear lengths of the hip frame 32 and thigh frame 33 may beconfigured based on lengths of a human thigh and hip. For example, thethigh frame 33 may be longer than the hip frame 32 in the front-reardirection.

The thigh frame 33, like the hip frame 32, may have a rectangular outerframe 331, at least one first bar or cushion seating plate 332 extendingacross left and right ends of the outer frame, and a plurality of secondor connection bars 333 connecting the front end and the rear end of theouter frame 331.

The plunger fastening flange 327 may be provided on the bottom of thefront end of the thigh frame 33, and the plunger fastening flange 327may be provided at an end of the plunger 382 of the lower actuator 38. Aplurality of connection flanges 334 may extend at the rear end of thethigh frame 33. The plurality of connection flanges 334 may be formed onthe left and the right sides of the rear end of the thigh frame 33.

Like the upper body frame 31, the calf frame 34 may include an outerframe 341, at least one first bar or cushion seating plate 342, and atleast one second or connection bar 343. The outer frame 341 may have asubstantially rectangular shape, and one or more cushion member seatingplates 342 may be provided.

A plurality of first bars 342 may be provided on upper surfaces of leftand right ends of the outer frame 341, and may be spaced apart in thefront and rear direction of the calf frame 34. A plurality of secondbars 343 may connect a front end and a rear end of the outer frame 341and may be spaced apart in the left right direction of the calf frame34.

A connection flange 344 having the same shape as the connection flange334 formed on the rear end of the thigh frame 33 may be formed at thefront end of the calf frame 34. The connection flange 334 of the thighframe 33 and the connection flange 344 of the calf frame 34 may berotatably connected.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, when the upper body frame 31, the hip frame 32,the thigh frame 33, and the calf frame 34 lie in a same horizontalplane, the seating frame 39 and or bedframe 30 may be in a first ordefault state. The upper body frame 31 and/or the thigh frame 33 may betilted a predetermined angle by an operation of the upper actuator 37and/or the lower actuator 38 respectively, for use. FIG. 10 shows astate in which the plunger 372 of the upper actuator 37 is elongatedwhile the upper body frame 31 is tilted upward and the thigh frame 33 istilted upward. The hip frame 32 may be maintained in a horizontal state,and a load (or rotational moment) transmitted from the upper body frame31 to the upper actuator 37, in addition to a load transmitted from thethigh frame 33 to the lower actuator 38, may be transmitted to the hipframe 32.

Two symmetrical rotational moments transmitted to the hip frame 32 maybe countered or balanced by the base frame 35, which may reduce apossibility of the front or rear end of the base frame 35 being liftedup off the installation surface. A length of the base frame 35 may besufficiently long in order to prevent the base frame 35 and thus the bed10 from falling or tilting.

Referring to FIG. 12, the cushion module 20 may be defined as anassembly of firmness adjusters M1 each having an array of cushions Carranged in a module or cushion case 21. The cushion case 21 may beplaced on the first bars (also referred to as cushion seating plates)312, 322, 332 and 342 provided on the upper surface of the bedframe 30.The first bars 312, 322, 332, and 342 may be located at a center of thebottom of the cushion case 21.

A fastening member S (e.g., screw or bolt) may be inserted into thefirst bars 312, 322, 332, 342 through a bottom of the cushion case 21 sothat the cushion case 21 and cushions C may be coupled to the bedframe30. A through hole through which the fastening member S passes may beformed in a center of a bottom of side ends of the cushion case 21. Inaddition, a fastening hole 332 a through which the fastening member Spasses may be formed at left and right edges of the first bars312,322,332,342, so that the side ends of the cushion case 21 may befixed to the first bars 312, 322, 332, and 342. An optional adhesivemember (e.g., double-sided tape) may be provided on the upper surface offirst bars 312,322,332,342 so that a bottom of the cushion case 21 maybe further secured to the first bars 312,322,332,342.

Referring to FIG. 13, at least one partition or wall 40 according to anembodiment may be interposed between adjacent cushion modules to preventinterference between adjacent cushion modules. The partition 40 may beprovided at a hinge axis between adjacent frames of the bedframe 30.

There may be a plurality of partitions 40 lying along an upper hingeaxis serving as a rotation center of the upper body frame 31, a lowerhinge axis serving as a rotation center of the thigh frame 33, and at ahinge axis serving as a rotation center of the calf frame 34.Alternatively or in addition thereto, the calf frame 34 may rest on therelative rotating connection flanges 334, 344.

A partition 40 provided between the upper body frame 31 and the hipframe 32 may be defined as a first partition. A partition 40 providedbetween the hip frame 32 and the thigh frame 33 may be defined as asecond partition. A partition 40 provided between the thigh frame 33 andthe calf frame 34 may be defined as a third partition.

When the upper body frame 31 is tilted upward, the cushion C at the rearend of the upper body frame 31 may approach an upper portion of thecushion C at the front end of the hip frame 32, and without a partition40 therebetween, may contact the cushion C such that the cushions Cbecome deformed and compressed. Similarly, when the thigh frame 33 istilted upward, adjacent cushions C (one at the front end of the thighframe 33 and one at the rear end of the hip frame 32) may approach eachother, and, without a partition 40 therebetween, may contact andcompress each other. By providing the first partition 40 between theupper body frame 31 and the hip frame 32 and the second partition 40between the hip frame 32 and the thigh frame 33, during a bending motionof the upper body frame 31 and/or the thigh frame 33, the cushions C maypress on and deform the partitions 40 instead of other cushions C.

The third partition 40 may have a thickness greater in the front-reardirection than a gap between a cushion C placed at a rear end of thethigh frame 33 and a cushion C placed at a front end of the calf frame34. When the third partition 40 is sandwiched between the thigh frame 33and the calf frame 34, the third partition 40 may be maintained in acompressed state when no external force is applied and/or the bedframe30 is in the default state (i.e., a horizontal or flat state).

As the thigh frame 33 is tilted upward, the distance between thecushions C adjacent to the front and rear ends of the third partition 40may increase. As a result, the third partition 40 may expand by arestoring force such that a front-rear thickness increases toward anatural thickness of the third partition 40. Since the rear end of thethigh frame 33 and the front end of the calf frame 34 may rotaterelative to each other, a shape of the third partition 40 may betransformed or extended into a fan or wedge shape having a larger upperend thickness than a lower end thickness.

Each partition 40 may be made of the same material as the topper 12 orthe safe guard 13, and thus a shape deformation may occur when anexternal force is applied. The partition 40 may return to an originalstate when the external force is removed.

The partition 40 may include a body 41, a plurality of slits 42 formedon an upper end of the body 41, and a plurality of fins 32 definedbetween the plurality of slits 42. The plurality of slits 42 may beformed at the upper end of the body 41 to facilitate a deformation ofthe upper end of the partition 40. The plurality of slits 42 and fins 43may extend in the longitudinal direction of the partition 40 (a widthdirection or left-right direction of the bedframe 30). The slits 42 andfins 43 may alternate with each other along a thickness direction of thepartition 40 (a length direction or front-rear direction of the bedframe30.

Referring to FIGS. 14-16, the cushion C may have a cylindrical shape,but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited. For example, thecushion C may have a polygonal cylindrical shape.

Each cushion C may include an outer case 91, an inner case 92, an outerspring 93, an inner spring 94, and an upper cover 97, a lead screw 99,and a transmission gear 990. The cushion C may further include an innerspring cover 95, an outer spring cover 98, and a buffer or inner cover96.

The outer and inner springs 93 and 94 may each include a coil springwound in a spiral shape, but embodiments disclosed herein are notlimited. For example, the outer and inner springs 93 and 94 mayalternatively be accordion springs or made of a cushion or other elasticmaterial.

The inner spring 94 may have a diameter smaller than that of the outerspring 93 and may have an elastic modulus or a spring constant smallerthan that of the outer spring 93. An elastic strength of the innerspring 94 may be set or predetermined to be smaller than an elasticstrength of the outer spring 93. The elastic strength or spring constantmay be inversely proportional to an amount of deformation. For example,an amount of deformation of the inner spring 94 may be greater than thatof the outer spring 93 with respect to a same applied axial force. As analternative, the elastic strength or spring constant of the inner spring94 and the outer spring 93 may be set or predetermined to be equal toeach other.

A thread may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the leadscrew 99, and the transmission gear 990 may be coupled to a lower end ofthe lead screw 99. The lead screw 99 may be rotatably coupled to acenter of a bottom of the outer case 91, and the inner case 92 may bescrewed onto the outer peripheral surface of the lead screw 99. An innersurface of the inner case 92 may be optionally formed with screws tofacilitate coupling to the lead screw 99. By a rotation of the leadscrew 99 and a position of the inner case 92 within the outer case 91,the inner case 92 may rise or descend along the lead screw 99.

The inner spring cover 95 may surround the inner spring 94 and mayinclude a thin fabric or an elastic material, but is not limitedthereto. A shape of the inner spring cover 95 may be deformed accordingto an elastic deformation of the inner spring 94 and restored based on arestoration of the inner spring 94.

The outer spring cover 98 may surround the outer spring 93 and may bemade of a same material as the inner spring cover 95, but embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited to materials of the inner and outerspring covers 98 and 95. Like the inner spring cover 95, the outerspring cover 98 may be deformed or restored based on a deformation orrestoration of the outer spring 93.

The buffer 96 may be mounted on a bottom surface of the upper cover 92,and an upper end of the inner spring 94 may contact a bottom surface ofthe buffer 96 to absorb shock and noise. For example, when the innercase 92 is lowered to a point where the upper end of the inner spring 94is spaced apart from a bottom surface of the upper cover 97 and avertical force acts or changes on the cushion C, the buffer 96 mayabsorb noise generated when the inner spring 94 hits a bottom surface ofthe upper cover 97.

Referring to FIG. 17, the upper cover 97 may have a circular orpolygonal cover plate or top plate 971, and a cover sleeve 972 extendingdownward from an edge of the cover plate 971. A buffer seating recess971 a may be formed on the lower surface of the cover plate 971 to bestepped upward. A bottom surface of the cover plate 971 corresponding toan edge of the buffer seating portion or recess 971 a and an inner edgeof the cover sleeve 972 may be defined as a spring seating portion orrecess 971 b. The upper end of the outer spring 93 may be seated on thespring seating recess 971 b.

Referring to FIG. 18, the inner case 92 may include a base plate 921having a circular or polygonal shape. A base sleeve 922 may extendupward from an edge of the base plate 921, and a screw boss 923 mayextend upward from a center of the upper surface of the base plate 921.

The base sleeve 922 may have a plurality of guide protrusions 927protruding in a radial direction, and the plurality of guide protrusions927 may be spaced apart in a circumferential direction of the basesleeve 922. Each guide protrusion 927 may be formed by bending andextending the base sleeve 922. The guide protrusion 927 may include apair of side surfaces or walls extending in a radial direction of thebase plate 921 and facing each other, and a front surface or wallconnecting the pair of side portions.

A screw hole 924 may be formed inside the screw boss 923, and a screwthread 925 may be formed on an inner circumferential surface of thescrew hole 924. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 926 may extend radiallyoutward from an outer circumferential surface of the screw boss 923. Alower end of the inner spring 94 may be provided in a space betweenouter ends of the plurality of reinforcing ribs 926 and an innercircumferential surface of the base sleeve 922. The plurality ofreinforcing ribs 926 may reinforce a strength of the screw boss 923 andalso reduce or prevent a movement of the inner spring 94 in the radialdirection.

One or more holes or slits 928 may be formed in the base plate 921 atpositions circumferentially between sides of the reinforcing ribs 926.The holes 928 may be formed to be closer to an outer surface of thescrew boss 923 than outer ends of the reinforcing ribs 926, butembodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

Referring to FIG. 19, the outer case 91 may include a bottom plate 911having a circular or polygonal shape, and a case sleeve 912 extendingupward from an upper surface of the bottom plate 911. The case sleeve912 may have a diameter smaller than a diameter of the bottom plate 911.

A spring flange 913 may be bent and extended upward from an outer edgeof the bottom plate 911, and the spring flange 913 may radially surroundthe case sleeve 912. The upper surface of the bottom plate 911 betweenthe spring flange 913 and the case sleeve 912 may be defined as a springmounting space or recess 914 in which a lower end of the outer sleeve 93may be seated or mounted.

A pair of guide ribs 915 may extend radially inward from an innercircumferential surface of the case sleeve 912 to define a guide space.The guide ribs 915 in the pair of guide ribs 915 may be spaced apart ina circumferential direction of the case sleeve 912. A plurality of pairsof guide ribs 915 may further be spaced apart from each other along thecircumferential direction.

The guide protrusions 927 of the inner case 92 (FIG. 18) may be fittedin the guide space between the pair of guide ribs 915. A position andnumber of guide spaces formed by the pair of guide ribs 915 maycorrespond to a position and a number of the guide protrusions 927.

A screw hole 916 a may be formed in a center of the bottom plate 911. Asupport sleeve 916 may extend upward at an edge of the screw hole 916 a.The lead screw 99 may pass through the screw hole 916 a.

A plurality of air holes or slots 917 may be spaced apart from eachother in a circumferential direction in the bottom plate 911. Each ofthe plurality of air holes 917 may be formed in a long hole or arc shapethat curves to be round in the circumferential direction of the bottomplate 911, but a size or shape of the air hole 917 is not limitedthereto. The air holes 917 may be provided at positions that arecircumferentially between adjacent pairs of guide ribs 915 and/or atpositions radially inward from the guide ribs 915, but embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited.

A plurality of vibration preventing ribs 918 may protrude from an uppersurface of the bottom plate 911 at an inner edge of the case sleeve 912.The vibration prevention ribs 918 may protrude radially inward from aninner peripheral surface of the case sleeve 912 toward a center of thebottom plate 911. A side of the vibration prevention rib 918 facing thecenter of the bottom plate 911 may be curved or rounded, and thevibration prevention rib 918 may have a semicircle or elliptical shape,but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

Referring to FIG. 20, the pair of guide ribs 915 may contact sidesurfaces of the guide protrusions 927 formed on the inner case 92. Theguide protrusion 927 may be supported by the guide rib 915 to prevent orreduce a spinning movement of the inner case 92 in the circumferentialdirection when the inner case 92 is raised or lowered.

When the inner case 92 descends to a bottom surface of the outer case91, the vibration prevention rib 918 may contact an outercircumferential surface of the inner case 92 to prevent or reducerattling of the inner case 92 along the radial direction and reduce orprevent noise.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the lead screw 99 may be rotated in aclockwise or counterclockwise direction to adjust a height of the innercase 92. In a basic state in which no external force is applied, theupper end of the inner spring 94 may or may not touch the buffer 96depending on the height of the inner case 92.

When an external force in the vertical direction acts on the uppersurface of the cushion C, the outer cover 97 may descend and compressthe outer spring 93 and the inner spring 94 simultaneously, or, theouter spring 93 may be first compressed before the inner spring 94 andouter spring 93 are compressed together.

A firmness or cushion strength of the cushion C may be adjusted byadjusting a height of the inner spring 94. When the lead screw 99 isrotated in a direction that induces the inner spring 94 to be raised tohave a height similar to a height of the outer spring 93, and the usersits on the bed, both the outer and inner springs 93 and 94 may becompressed. As a weight of the user acts on both the outer and innersprings 93 and 94, a deformation amount of each of the outer and innersprings 93 and 94 may be less than if all of the weight of the useracted on only one of the outer or inner springs 93 and 94. When theouter and inner springs 93 and 94 are compressed at a same time, theuser may perceive an increased firmness. When the lead screw 99 isrotated such that the inner spring 93 is lowered so that a height of atop of the inner spring 94 is significantly below a height of the top ofthe outer spring 93, the weight of the user may act on the outer spring93, a deformation amount of the outer spring 93 may be greater, and theuser may perceive a decreased firmness. The upper cover 97 and/or innercover 96 may prevent or reduce an uncomfortable feeling from aprotruding end of the lead screw 99 when the inner spring 94 is lowered.

Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the cushion module 20 may include aplurality of firmness adjusters M1 each having a cushion case 21 and aplurality of cushions C arranged in the cushion case 21. The figuresshow that one firmness adjuster M1 may have eight cushions C, butembodiments disclosed herein are not limited to eight cushions C perfirmness adjuster M1. The firmness adjuster M1 may include a drive 24(e.g., motor or actuator) (See FIG. 25) to collectively and equallyadjust an elastic strength of the cushions C.

There may be a plurality of firmness adjusters M1 corresponding tovarious areas of the bed. For example, there may be one firmnessadjuster M1 for each of the upper frame 31, hip frame 32, thigh frame33, and calf frame 34. As another example, there may be two firmnessadjusters M1 for each of the upper, hip, thigh, and calf frames 31-34,one for each of the left and right sides of the upper, hip, thigh, andcalf fames 31-34. Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to anarrangement of firmness adjusters M1.

The module case 21 may include a bottom or outer case 23 and an upper orinner case 22. The drive 24 may be provided in a motor housing 235,which may be a recess or cavity formed in a bottom of the bottom case 23(FIG. 25). The drive 24 may be provided between an upper surface of thebottom case 23 and a bottom surface of the upper case 22.

Referring to FIGS. 25 and 26, the drive 24 may include a drive motor.For convenience of description, the drive 24 will be hereinafterreferred to as a motor 24. A gear assembly 25 may be rotatably moveableby the motor 24. For example, FIG. 25 shows that a shaft may extendupward from the motor 24 to be rotatably coupled to a gear of the gearassembly 25. A plurality of other gears of the gear assembly 25 mayengage with the gear rotated by the motor 24 to rotate. The motor 24 andgear assembly 25 together may be referred to as a rotational forcetransmission or transmitter that transmits a rotational force.

The upper case 22 may include an outer frame or wall 221 formed in arectangular shape with a predetermined height, and an inner plate 222formed inside the outer wall 221. The inner plate 222 may be provided apredetermined distance upward from a lower end of the outer wall 221 todivide the inner space of the upper case 22 into an upper space and alower space. The gear assembly 25 may be provided in the lower space ofthe upper case 22, and the plurality of cushions C may be provided inthe upper space of the upper case 22.

A plurality of gear shafts 225 may protrude from the bottom surface ofthe inner plate 222 so that gears G to be described later may berotatably mounted. A plurality of partition plates or walls 223 mayprotrude from the upper surface of the inner plate 222 to divide theupper space of the outer frame 221 into a plurality of small spaces inwhich the cushions C may be provided.

The plurality of partition plates 223 may include a plurality ofhorizontal or first partition plates 223 extending in the widthdirection of the upper case 22 and arranged at equal intervals in thelength direction, and at least one vertical or second partition plate223 extending in the length direction of the upper case 22. The secondpartition plate 223 may divide the upper space of the outer frame 221into left and right sides.

A number of second partition plates 223 may be determined according to anumber of rows (extending in the front-rear direction) in which theplurality of cushions C are arranged, and the number of first partitionplates 223 may be determined according to a number of rows or columns(extending in the left-right direction) in which the plurality ofcushions C are arranged.

A support sleeve or flange 224 may extend in each of a plurality ofsmall spaces partitioned by the first and second partition plates 223,and a through hole 224 a may be provided in the inner plate 222 at aninner side of the support sleeve 224. The support sleeve 224 and thepartition plates 223 may have a same or similar height, and an innerdiameter of the support sleeve 224 may be formed to have a sizecorresponding to an outer diameter of the cushion C.

The through hole 224 a may have a diameter smaller than an innerdiameter of the support sleeve 224. A seating surface 224 b may beformed on the upper surface of the inner plate 222 at an inner bottom ofthe support sleeve 224 to support an outer edge of the cushion C.

A diameter of the through hole 224 a may have a size corresponding to orslightly bigger than that of an outer diameter of the transmission gear990 so that when the cushion C is seated inside the support sleeve 224on the seating surface 224 b, the transmission gear 990 may be exposedthrough or pass through the through hole 224 a to the lower space of theouter frame 221.

Meanwhile, a seal 26 or gasket may be provided at an edge of the lowerspace of the upper case 22 to reduce or prevent an inflow of foreignmatter through a coupling portion or area between the bottom case 23 andthe upper case 22. The seal 26 may also reduce or prevent noise (e.g.,noise of the gear assembly 25) generated in the lower space of the outerframe 221.

The bottom case 23 may include a bottom plate 231 and a side wall 232extending upward from an edge of the bottom plate 231. The side wall 232may contact the inner circumferential surface of the outer frame 21defining a lower space of the upper case 22. The seal 26 may contact anupper end of the side wall 232 and/or may be fitted between an outercircumferential surface of the upper end of the side wall 232 and theinner circumferential surface of the outer wall 221. Alternatively, theside wall 232 may fit in a space between the seal 26 and the outer wall221.

The seal 26 may be made of an elastic, rubber, or plastic material, andmay extend downward from the bottom surface of the upper case 22. Theseal 26 may be provided at an inner side of the outer wall 221 andextend along an outer side or perimeter of the bottom surface of theupper case 22.

A plurality of shaft holes 233 may be formed in the bottom plate 231 atpositions below or aligning with the plurality of gear shafts 225.Alternatively, the shaft holes 223 may be omitted, and a length of thegear shaft 225 may correspond to a depth of the lower space of the uppercase 22 (i.e., a distance between the bottom surface of the inner plate222 and the bottom plate 231). As another alternative, the shaft holes223 may instead be formed by recessing an upper surface of the bottomcase 23 downward.

A motor housing 235 to house the motor 24 may protrude from a bottomsurface of the bottom plate 231. The motor housing 235 may be formedsuch that a portion of the bottom plate 231 is recessed or steppeddownward by a predetermined depth. Alternatively, a communication holemay be formed in the bottom plate 231, and a separate housing may becoupled to a bottom of the bottom plate 231 at a position directly belowthe communication hole to define the motor housing 235.

The gear assembly 25 may include a drive gear 251 driven by the motor 24and at least one driven gear 252 configured to engage with and be drivenby the drive gear 251. The transmission gears 990 of the cushions C maybe adjacent to the driven gears 252. There may be idle gears not part ofthe cushions C that are provided between adjacent transmission gears 990so as to transmit a rotational force to the transmission gears 990 thatare part of the same firmness adjuster M1. Alternatively, when there isa plurality of driven gears 252, all of the plurality of driven gears252 may be defined as idle gears. As another alternative, there may beone driven gear 252 and a plurality of idle gears. Embodiments disclosedherein are not limited to an arrangement of the gear assembly 25 and thetransmission gears 990.

The gear shaft 225 may extend from the bottom surface of the inner plate222. Alternatively, the gear shaft 225 may extend upward from the topsurface of the bottom plate 231.

A spacer 234 may be provided in a center of the bottom plate 231 in aspace between two rows of transmission gears 990 that extend in a lengthdirection of the cushion case 21. The spacer 234 may be a panel or frameextending in the length direction, but embodiments disclosed herein arenot limited.

The spacer 234 may prevent the driven gears 252 or idle gears from beingmoved in a width direction of the module case 21 and disrupting a gearcoupling of the gear assembly 25 and the transmission gears 990. Thespacer 234 may have a height corresponding to a gap between the innerplate 222 and the bottom plate 231, and may prevent or reduce sagging ofthe inner plate 222. The spacer 234 may optionally be configured to addstructural rigidity to the cushion case 21.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, the transmission gears 990 and the drivengears 252 may be alternately arranged with each other, and all of thetransmission gears 990 may rotate in the same direction. A rotationalforce supplied from the motor 24 may be transmitted to the driven gear252 through the driving gear 251, and the rotational force transmittedto the driven gear 252 may be transmitted to a transmission gear 990 andsubsequent transmission gears 990 via other driven gears 252 or idlegears. For convenience of description, a gear directly connected to thedrive gear 251 may be defined as the driven gear 252, while a gearprovided between adjacent transmission gears 990 may be defined as theidle gear.

The drive gear 251 may be engaged with a driven gear row located at anouter side or end (e.g., a front end) of the cushion case 21, butembodiments disclosed herein are not limited. For example, the motor 24and motor housing 235 may be provided at a center of the bottom case 23,and the drive gear 251 and driven gear 252 may be provided in a middleor center portion of the bottom case 23, with idle gears provided ateither side or end.

When a firmness for a particular area of the bed is set through a userinterface (e.g., provided in the bedframe 30, safe guard 13, remotecontroller 800 described later or on a mobile or web application, themotor 24 of a corresponding firmness adjuster M1 may rotate, arotational force may be transmitted to the gear assembly 25, and theplurality of cushions C in a same firmness adjuster M1 may be controlledto have a same elastic strength. The user may desire that a firmness ofthe bed be uniform, in which case, all of the firmness adjusters M1 maybe controlled such that all of the cushions C have the same firmness.

In addition, although the Figures show a 2×4 arrangement of the cushionsC in each firmness adjuster M1, embodiments disclosed herein are notlimited to such a number or arrangement and may be customized, alongwith a size of the cushions C and an overall size of the firmnessadjuster M1. When a plurality of cushions C are provided in one row, onedriven gear 252 may be connected to the driving gear 251. When three ormore rows of cushions C are provided, if idle gears are provided betweenadjacent driven gears 252, a firmness of three or more rows of cushionsC can be controlled with one motor 24.

Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, a drying module 50 that supplies air orfluid to dry the topper 12 may be mounted on a bottom of the bed 10(e.g., at a bottom of the cushion module 20 or bedframe 30) according toan embodiment. An inlet 131 to suction ambient air may be formed in thesafe guard 13 at the foot of the bed 10. Alternatively, the inlet 131may be formed in the safe guard 13 provided near the head of the bed 10;however, since user's tend to push a head of their bed against a wall,an inlet 131 provided at the foot may be better to suction the air.Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to a position of the inlet131. The inlet 131 may be positioned in consideration of an installationcondition of the bed 10 or a layout of a bedroom. As another example,there may be a plurality of inlets 131 provided in the safe guards 13 atboth the head and the foot of the bed, and the inlets 131 may beprovided near corners and/or near lower ends of the safe guards 13.

The inlet 131 may be connected to an air intake passage or duct (e.g.,suction duct 52 described later) formed in the drying module 50. Airintroduced into the drying module 50 through the inlet 131 may bedischarged toward the topper 12 through an indoor air discharge hole oroutlet formed in the drying module 50. A structure of the drying module50 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 31, but asseen in FIGS. 29 and 30, the drying module 50 may be configured ashollow extensions extending lengthwise under left and right sides of thebed and communicating with the inlets 131, and outlets may be formed inan upper surface of the long rectangular extensions. Each extension ofthe drying module 50 may include a fan to suction air. Embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited, and various drying modules aredisclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 17/090,062 (AttorneyDocket No. HI-1761) filed on Nov. 5, 2020, the entire contents of whichare incorporated by reference herein.

As shown in FIG. 30, a plurality of outlets may be formed in the dryingmodule 50 to face the topper 12. Air may be discharged upward from thedrying module 50, pass through the cushion module 20, and flow towardthe topper 12 to dry the topper 12.

Since the topper 12 may be formed of a porous latex or memory foam, someof the air hitting the bottom of the topper 12 may pass through thetopper 12. The rest of the air hitting the topper 12 may be diffused toan edge of the bottom surface of the topper 12 and rise along a side ofthe topper 12. The air rising along the side of the topper 12 may flowthrough a space between the bed cover 11 and a top surface of the topper12 to evaporate moisture that has penetrated the top surface of thetopper 12.

The outlet of the drying module 50 may not contact a bottom surface ofthe cushion module 20 or bedframe 30. Air discharged through the outletmay rise through a plurality of gaps formed in the cushion module 20 andmay be evenly distributed over the entire bottom of the topper 12.

Referring to FIG. 31, the drying module or dryer 50 may include at leastone fan or blower 53 to suction air, at least one suction duct 52 havinga first end connected to a suction hole or side of the fan 53, and atleast one supply duct 54 having a first end connected to a dischargehole or side of the fan 53. A second end opposite to the first end ofthe suction duct 52 may communicate with the inlet 131, and a filter 51may be provided at the second end of the suction duct 52 to filtersuctioned air. The supply duct 54 may be formed with discharge or outletducts 55, each discharge duct 55 having an outlet or discharge port 551.The discharge port 551 may be formed in a slit. The drying module 50 mayhave two sets of suction ducts 52, supply ducts 54, fans 53, etc.corresponding to left and right sides of the bed, but embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited. A number of sets of suction ducts 52,supply ducts 54, fans 53, etc. may correspond to a number of inlets 131.

The second end of the suction duct 52 may be defined as an air intake orinlet of the drying module 50, and the discharge port 551 formed in thedischarge duct 55 may be defined as an air discharge port or outlet ofthe dryer module 50. The suction and supply ducts 52 and 54 may beformed as hollow rectangular extensions having flat upper surfaces, butembodiments disclosed herein are not limited to a rectangular shape. Twosupply ducts 54 coupled to opposite sides of the fan 53 may be at leastpartially provided on top of the upper surface of the suction duct 52,and the discharge ducts 55 may be provided on top of the upper surfaceof the supply duct 54. The filter 51 may be mounted at the second end ofthe suction duct 52, or alternatively may be mounted in the suction port131 formed in the safe guard 13.

The drying module 50 may be fixed to the bedframe 30 such that, when thebedframe 30 is tilted, the drying module 50 may also be tilted. Thesuction duct 52 may include flexible ducts or sections 522 capable ofbending and rigid ducts or section 521 that may not bend. Like thesuction duct 52, the supply duct 54 may be formed of a combination ofrigid ducts 541 and flexible ducts 542. The rigid ducts 521 and 541 andflexible ducts 522 and 542 may alternatively be referred to as hard andsoft ducts. The flexible ducts 522 and 542 may be corrugated pipes ortubes and/or have an accordion spring structure. Alternatively, theflexible ducts 522 and 542 may be formed of an elastic or soft material,but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

The flexible ducts 522 and 542 may be provided under rotation axes ofthe bedframe 30 (i.e., under the partitions 40). For example, theflexible ducts 522 and 542 may be provided under where the upper bodyframe 31 and the hip frame 32 meet, where the hip frame 32 and the thighframe 33 meet, and where the thigh frame 33 and the calf frame 34 meet.

The sets of suction and supply ducts 52 and 54 and fans 53 of the dryingmodule 50 may be arranged in a width direction of the bed 10. As anotheralternative arrangement, although the fan 53 may have one inlet, the fan53 may have multiple outlets and multiple sets of supply ducts 54coupled to the multiple outlets of the fan 53. Such an alternativearrangement may have supply ducts 54 extending radially outward from thefan 53.

The fan 53 may be a centrifugal fan (e.g., a turbo fan) that suctionsair in an axial direction and discharges air in a radial direction, butembodiments disclosed herein are not limited. The fan 53 may include ahub, blades, and a fan housing to accommodate the hub and blades. Asingle suction port or inlet may be formed on a bottom surface of thefan housing, and a plurality of discharge ports or outlets may be formedon a side surface of the fan housing. The fan 53 may be provided at aposition far from the user's ear (e.g., at a foot of the bed 10) toreduce or prevent noise from disrupting the user.

As shown, a pair of discharge ports may be formed on opposite sidesurfaces of the fan housing of the fan 53. A pair of supply ducts 54 mayextend a predetermined length in opposite directions from the fanhousing of the fan 53 to be aligned in a single row. However, dependingon the structure of the bedframe 30, the supply ducts 54 may be angledless than 180 degrees apart.

A plurality of discharge ducts 55 may extend across an upper surface ofthe supply duct 54, and the plurality of discharge ports 551 may bespaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the supplyduct 54. The discharge port 551 may penetrate the discharge duct 55 tocommunicate with outlets of the supply duct 54. The plurality ofdischarge ducts 55 and the supply ducts 54 may be injection molded intoa single body. Alternatively, the plurality of discharge ducts 55 may bemanufactured separately and later combined with the supply duct 54.

Each of the plurality of discharge ducts 55 may have a predeterminedwidth and may extend for a predetermined length in a direction crossingan extending direction of the supply duct 54. An upper surface of thedischarge duct 55 may be opened, and the discharge port 551 maypenetrate a bottom surface. Alternatively, the discharge duct 55 mayhave a closed upper surface to be a hollow box or rectangle, and thedischarge port 551 may penetrate both the upper and lower surfaces tocommunicate with the outlet of the supply duct 54. As anotheralternative, the discharge duct 55 may have an inlet formed in thebottom surface and communicating with the outlet of the supply duct 54,and the discharge port 551 may be formed in the upper surface.Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

The discharge port 551 may have a predetermined width, extends apredetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the discharge duct55, and may be formed in a slit shape, but embodiments disclosed hereinare not limited. When the discharge port 551 has a narrow slit shape, aspeed of air discharged through the discharge port 551 may be increasedto be effectively transferred to the topper 12. The width of thedischarge duct 55 may correspond to a width of the partition 40, butdimensions of the discharge duct 55 are not limited.

When the drying module 50 includes one set of supply ducts 54, fan 53,and suction duct 52, the drying module 60 may be provided under a centerof the bed 10, and the discharge duct 55 may have to a lengthcorresponding to a width of the bed 10 or the topper 12. A length of thedischarge port 551 may be elongated to extend width-wise under amajority of the bed 10.

The suction duct 52 may be approximately parallel to the supply duct 54,but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited. As another example,the suction duct 52 may be orthogonal to the supply duct 54 to extend inthe width direction of the bed 10. As a length of the suction duct 52decreases, a flow resistance may decrease. The suction port or inlet ofthe suction duct 52 may be provided at a side of the bed 10.

Referring to FIGS. 32 and 33, a bed 10 a according to a secondembodiment may include a cushion module 20, a bedframe 300, and a topper12 that is detachable from the cushion module 20. The topper 12 may besurrounded by a bed cover 11. Although a thickness of the topper 12 isshown to be greater than a thickness of the topper 12 shown in FIG. 3,embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to a thickness of thetopper 12. For example, the topper 12 of the second embodiment may bejust as thin or thick as the topper 12 of the first embodiment.

A drying module or dryer 500 may be provided below the bedframe 300, andthe drying module 500 may be coupled to the bedframe 300 so that whenthe bedframe 300 is tilted, a portion of the drying module 500 may alsobe tilted. The drying module 500, like the drying module 50 describedwith reference to FIGS. 30-32, may suction ambient air and supply air tothe topper 12 to dry the topper 12. The cushion module 20 may be definedas an assembly or array of firmness adjusters M1 and partitions 40,similar to the first embodiment.

The bed 10 a may further include a guard frame 60 surrounding thecushion module 20 and the bedframe 300. The guard frame 60 may besimilar to the safe guard 13 described with reference to FIGS. 1-32, butmay also support a weight of the bedframe 300. The bedframe 300 may becoupled to an inside or inner surface of the guard frame 60 as one body,and at least a portion of the bedframe 300 may be bendable or tiltablewhile remaining secured to the guard frame 60. Here, the guard frame 60may be more like a typical bedframe, while the bedframe 300 mayprimarily be a mattress mover, and could optionally be part of amattress set.

The bed 10 a may further include a plurality of legs 70 coupled to thecorners of the guard frame 60. A bottom surface of the guard frame 60may be spaced apart from the installation surface by a length of the leg70, so that a link 3210, 3220 to be described later may be preventedfrom contacting the installation surface.

A height of the leg 70 may be designed so that components of thebedframe 300 do not contact the installation surface during an operationof the bedframe 300.

The leg 70 may be omitted if the bedframe 300 and the drying module 500are designed do not touch the installation surface during an operation.For example, the guard frame 60 may contact the installation surface,and the bedframe 300 may be coupled to a middle or upper portion of theguide frame 60 at a position such that the bedframe 300 does not contactthe installation surface during an operation.

Referring to FIGS. 34-35, since the cushion module 20 may have a same orsimilar structure as the cushion module 20 described with reference toFIGS. 1-32, a repetitive description of the cushion module 20 will beomitted. The guard frame 60 may include a head frame or head 62, a toeframe or foot 63 opposite to the head frame 62, and a pair of sideframes 61 extending between the head frame 62 and the toe frame 63. Thehead frame 62 may be provided at an edge of the cushion module 20adjacent to the user's head when the user lies down. In addition, thetoe frame 63 may be provided at an edge of the cushion module 20adjacent to the user's foot.

The guard frame 60 may further include four connectors or brackets 64provided at corners, respectively, where the head, toe, and side frames62, 63, and 61 meet. The connector 64 may bend or curve by 90 degrees,and adjacent, perpendicular ends of the head, toe, and side frames 62,63, and 61 may be coupled to ends of the same connector 64. The head,toe, and side frames 62, 63, and 61 may be connected via the fourconnectors 64 to form a single guard frame 60.

Four edge plates 65 may be provided at a lower edge of the guard frame60 inside the four corners, respectively, to couple to the legs 70, anda fixing bracket 66 may be provided at each edge plate 65. Two supportplates 67 may be provided at an inner side of a lower end of the headframe 62 and the toe frame 63, respectively, and left and right ends ofthe support plates 67 may be supported by the fixing brackets 66. Thefixing bracket 66 may have an n-shape so that both ends of the supportplate 67 are fitted to or within the fixing bracket 66.

Bottom surfaces of the front and rear ends (i.e., the head and foot) ofthe bedframe 300 may be placed on the support plate 67 to preventsagging or drooping. Centers of left and right sides of the bedframe 300may be fixed to the side frame 61 by a fixing block 3310 to be describedlater with reference to FIGS. 36-37. A fastening hole 611 may be formedin a central portion of the side frame 61 so that a fastening member(e.g. screw or bolt) described later may couple the side frame 61 andthe fixing block 3310. A link drive shaft connection end 612 may extendor protrude downward at a lower end of the side frame 61. A link driveshaft 3150 to be described later may be rotatably connected to the linkdrive shaft connection end 612.

A topper guard or frame 68 may extend or protrude upward at an upper endof the toe frame 63 to prevent the topper 12 from sliding down while thebedframe 300 is tilted. The topper guard 68 may be formed integrallywith the toe frame 63, or alternatively may be formed separately andlater combined with the toe frame 63.

The drying module 500 may be provided under the cushion module 20 andfixed to the bedframe 300. A part of the drying module 500 may be tiltedtogether with the bedframe 300.

Referring to FIGS. 36 and 37, the bedframe 300 may include a motiongenerator 3100, a motion link 3200, and a seating frame 3300. Theseating frame 3300 may provide a surface on which the cushion module 20is placed, and the seating frame 3300 may be bent and tilted by adriving force supplied from the motion generator 3100. The seating frame3300 may include a pair of fixing blocks 3310, an upper body frame 3320,a lower body frame 3330, a cushion seating plate or bar 3340, and afixing bar 3350.

The pair of fixing blocks 3310 may be fixed to inner surfaces of thepair of side frames 61 of the guard frame 60 to face each other. Afastening member (e.g., a screw or bolt) may pass through the fasteninghole 611 formed in the side frame 61 and be inserted into the fixingblock 3310. The pair of fixing blocks 3310 may be located at a centralpoint of the side plate 61, but embodiments disclosed herein are notlimited.

A rear end of the upper body frame 3320 and a front end of the lowerbody frame 3330 may be rotatably coupled to the fixing block 3310. Theupper body frame 3320 may include a pair of rear frames 3321 having rearends rotatably coupled to the pair of fixing blocks 3310, respectively,and a pair of front frames 3322 rotatably coupled to the front ends ofthe rear frames 3321, respectively. Each of the pair of rear frames 3321and the pair of front frames 3322 may be parallel to each other.

The lower body frame 3330, like the upper body frame 3320, may have apair of front frames 3331 rotatably coupled to the pair of fixing blocks3310 and a pair of rear frames 3332 rotatably coupled to rear ends ofthe front frames 3331, respectively. The cushion seating plate 3340 mayconnect frames among the front and rear frames 3322, 3331, 3321, and3332 that are provided parallel to each other.

The seating frame 3300 may be defined as a structure including aplurality of parallel cushion seating plates 3340 connected to eachother to resemble a slatted bed frame. With respect to the upper bodyframe 3320, the front frame 3322 may be or include a pair of parallelstraight bars, and at least one seating plate 3340 may connect the pairof parallel straight bars of the front frame 3322. The rear frame 3321may be or include a pair of parallel straight bars, and at least oneseating plate 3340 may connect the pair of parallel straight bars of therear frame 3321. Similarly, with respect to the lower body frame 3330,the front frame 3331 may be or include a pair of parallel straight bars,and at least one cushion seating plate 3340 may connect the pair ofparallel straight bars of the front frame 3331. The rear frame 3332 maybe or include a pair of parallel straight bars, and at least one cushionseating plate 3340 may connect the pair of parallel straight bars of therear frame 3332. A coupling between the cushion seating plates 3240 andthe bars may be optionally rotatable at tilting axes. Furthermore, atleast one cushion seating plate 3340 may be coupled (e.g., rotatablycoupled) to the fixing block 3310.

Similar to how the seating frame 39 described with reference to FIGS.1-32 is divided into sections that move or pivot relative to each other(upper body frame 31, the hip frame 32, the thigh frame 33, and the calfframe 34), the seating frame 3300 may be divided into sections that moveor pivot relative to each other, the sections being defined by the pairof front frames 3322 of the upper body frame 3320 and the cushionseating plates 3340 therebetween, the pair of rear frames 3321 of theupper body frame 3320 and the cushion seating plates 3340 therebetween,the pair of front frames 3331 of the lower body frame 3330 and thecushion seating plates 3340 therebetween, and the pair of rear frames3332 of the lower body frame 3330 and the cushion seating plates 3340therebetween.

Left and right ends of the fixing bar 3350 may connect bottom surfacesof the pair of fixing blocks 3310, respectively, so as to reduce orprevent sagging of the bedframe 300. In addition, a transmission ortransmitter 3110 of the motion generator 3100 may be coupled to thefixing bar 3350. The transmission 3110 will be described in more detaillater.

An upper link connection end or front bracket 3323 may be provided on abottom surface of the pair of front frames 3322 of the upper body frame3320. A lower link connection end or rear bracket 3333 may be providedon a bottom surface of the pair of rear frames 3322 of the lower bodyframe 3330, respectively.

The motion generator 3100 may tilt or pivot the various sections of theseating frame 3300 via the motion link 3200. The motion generator 3100may include one transmission 3110 and a link drive shaft 3150penetrating the transmission. Both ends of the link drive shaft 3150 mayconnect to the link drive shaft connection end 612, respectively.

The link drive shaft 3150 may be a pair of shafts coupled to thetransmission 3110. The pair of shafts of the link drive shaft 3150 mayinclude a front shaft 3150A passing through a front end of thetransmission 3110 and a rear shaft 3150B passing through a rear end ofthe transmission 3110.

A mounting groove or recess may be formed on an inner surface of thelink driving shaft connecting end 612, and an end of the link drivingshaft 3150 may be fitted into the mounting groove. Alternatively, themounting groove may be a hole. Further, a plurality of ball bearings maybe arranged on an inner circumferential surface of the mounting grooveso that frictional force may be reduced when the link drive shaft 3150rotates. Since both ends of the link drive shafts 3150 may be connectedto the link drive shaft connection end 612, a load of the motiongenerator 3100 and the motion link 3200 may be supported by the guardframe 60.

The motion link 3200 may include a pair of front links 3210 connected toboth ends of the front shaft of 3150A, and a pair of rear links 3220connected to both ends of the rear shaft 3150B. The front link 3210 mayhave a two-fold link structure via a moveable link 3213 and a fixinglink 3212, while the rear link 3220 may have a multi-fold link structurevia an arm link 3222, a fixing link 3223, a moveable link 3225, and aconnection link 3224.

The front link 3210 may include a rear bracket 3211 extending downwardfrom the font shaft 3150A. The fixed link 3212 may extend from an end ofthe bracket 3211, and the movable link 3213 may be rotatably connectedto a rear end of the fixing link 3212. A front end of the movable link3213 may be connected (either fixedly or rotatably) to the front bracket3323. The front bracket 3323 may be formed to be parallel to the frontframe 3322 of the upper body frame 3320, while the rear bracket 3211 mayextend downward.

A rear end of the fixing link 3212 may be fixed to a bottom end thebracket 3211, and the front shaft 3150A, the bracket 3211, and thefixing link 3212 may rotate as one body. When the front shaft 3150Arotates, the bracket 3211 and fixing link 3212 may rotate with the frontshaft 3150A, while the moveable link 3213 may rotate or pivot withrespect to the fixing link 3212. FIG. 41 shows a state in which thefront shaft 3150A has been rotated to tilt the bracket 3211 and fixinglink 3212.

The rear link 3220 may include a front bracket 3221 extending downwardfrom the rear shaft 3150B. The arm link 3222 may extend from the rearshaft 3150 in a direction perpendicular to a downward extensiondirection of the front bracket 3221. The fixed link 3223 may have afront end rotatably connected to a rear end of the front bracket 3221.The connection link 3224 may have a front end rotatably connected to arear end of the fixing link 3223. The rear end of the connection link3224 may be rotatably connected to a front end of the movable link 3225.The front bracket 3221 and the arm link 3222 may be formed of a singlemember that is bent in an L-shape, but embodiments disclosed herein arenot limited. The rear shaft 3150B may pass through the bracket 3221 tobe fixed.

The arm link 3222 may include an arm link body horizontally extendingfrom the rear shaft 31506, and a circular slider may be formed at a rearend of the arm link body. A diameter of the slider may be larger than awidth of the arm link body so that an upper surface of the slider of thearm link 3222 may contact the lower surface of the rear frame 3332 ofthe lower body frame 3330.

An upper surface of the slider may slide along a bottom surface of therear frame 3332 while maintaining contact so that when the rear shaft3150B rotates, the rear frame 3332 of the lower body frame 3330 may moveor pivot relative to the front frame 3331 of the lower body frame 3330.The rear end of the movable link 3225 may be rotatably connected to therear bracket 3333. The rear bracket 3333 of the rear link 3220 may havea similar structure as the front bracket 3323 of the front link 3210.The rear shaft 3150B, the front bracket 3221, and the arm link 3222 mayrotate together as one body.

As previously described, the front link 3210 may have a two-fold linkstructure via the moveable link 3213 and the fixing link 3212, and therear link 3220 may have a multi-fold link structure via the arm link3222, fixing link 3223, moveable link 3225, and connection link 3224.Although the rear link 3220 is shown to be a four-fold link, embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited in a number of links comprising thefront and rear links 3210 and 3220.

Referring to FIGS. 38 and 39, the motion generator 3100 may generate adriving force via the transmission 3110 to rotate the front and rearshafts 3150A and 3150B of the link drive shaft 3150, which may beconnected to the transmission 3110. The transmission 3110 may include agear box or container 3111 and front and rear transmission assemblies3110A and 3110B provided inside of the gear box 31110 and correspondingto the front and rear shafts 3150A and 3150B, respectively. Eachtransmission assembly 3110A, 3110B may include a motor 3120, a tiltinggear 3130 connected to a rotation shaft 3121 of the motor 3120, and areduction gear 3140 meshed with or configured to engage with the tiltinggear 3130.

Each of the front and rear shafts 3150A and 3150B may penetrate the gearbox 3110 and rotate while being meshed or engaged with the reductiongear 3140. The two transmission assemblies 3110A and 3110B mayindependently drive a rotation of the front and rear shafts 3150A and3150B, respectively, so that the upper body frame 3320 and the lowerbody frame 3330 may be adjusted independently of each other.

Various types of structures may be implemented as the transmission 3110,and embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the front and reartransmission assemblies 3110A and 3110B described. Embodiments discloseherein may include all types of transmissions 3110 in which power isgenerated from a gearbox 3110 and transmitted to a link drive shaft3150.

Referring to FIGS. 40 and 41, when power is supplied to the motiongenerator 3100 and the motor 3120 is operated, the link driving shaft3150 may rotate. When the front shaft 3150A rotates, the front link 3210may rotate to tilt the upper body frame 3320 by a predetermined angle,and when the rear shaft 3150B rotates, the rear link 3220 may rotate totilt the lower body frame 3330 by a predetermined angle.

The fixed link 3212 of the front link 3210 may be fixed to the rearbracket 3211, while an end of the movable link 3213 may maintain aconnection to the front frame 3322 via the front bracket 3323. When themotor 3120 in the front transmission assembly 3110A is operated, thefront shaft 3110A rotates, and the front link 3210 rotates to tilt boththe front and rear frames 3322 and 3321 of the upper body frame 3320upward by a predetermined angle.

When the motor 3120 in the rear transmission assembly 3110B is operated,the rear shaft 3110B rotates, and the front bracket 3221 and the armlink 3222 may rotate as one body. The rear frame 3332 of the lower bodyframe 3320 may be lifted as the arm link 3222 rotates upward. As the armlink 3222 and the front bracket 3221 rotate, the fixed link 3223 may bepushed forward, and a rear end of the rear frame 3332 may be supportedvia the rear link 3333 and the moveable link 3225. In addition, the rearend of the front frame 3331 may be rotated as the lower frame 3332rises, resulting in a state as shown in FIG. 41.

As the arm link 3222 rotates by a rotation of the rear shaft 3150B, thearm link 3222 may slide along the bottom surface of the lower frame3322. Without the moveable link 3225 and rear bracket 3333, the rear endof the rear frame 3332 may sag downward.

As the upper body frame 3320 and/or the lower body frame 3330 aretilted, a space or gap may form between the upper body frame 3320 andthe guard frame 60 and/or between the lower body frame 3330 and theguard frame 60. Foreign substances may be introduced into or under thebed 10 a through the gap, and body parts may be caught and injured inthe gap.

In order to prevent such problems, at least one blocking film or layer75, 77 may be provided. The blocking film 75, 77 may include an upper orfront blocking film 75 connecting the upper body frame 3320 and theguard frame 60, and a lower or rear blocking film 77 connecting thelower body frame 3330 and the guard frame 60 can do. The front and rearblocking films 75 and 77 may alternatively be referred to as coversheets or blocking sheets.

The front and rear blocking films 75 and 77 may be formed of a soft orelastic cloth, sheet, or band, a folded or wrinkled cloth, a materialhaving an accordion bellow or spring shape, etc. Embodiments disclosedherein are not limited to a material of the front and rear blockingfilms 75 and 77.

Referring to FIG. 42, the cushion module 20 may be an assembly of aplurality of firmness adjusters M1, and each of the firmness adjustersM1 may include a cushion case 21 and a plurality of cushions C providedin the cushion case 21. The cushion case 21 may include an upper orouter case 22 and a bottom or inner case 23. When the bottom case 23 iscoupled to the cushion seating plate 3340, the cushion module 20 mayconstitute one section of the bedframe 300. In addition, the topper 12may be detachable from the cushion module 20.

A plurality of fastening bosses 236 may be formed on the bottom surfaceof the bottom case 23 to be spaced apart by predetermined intervals. Inaddition, a plurality of fastening holes 3241 may be formed in thecushion seating plate 3340.

A fastening member S (e.g., screw or bolt) may pass through thefastening hole 3241 and be inserted into the fastening boss 236. Thecushion case 21 may be fixed to the cushion seating plate 3340 by thefastening member S. As an alternative, the fastening boss 236 may beomitted, and an inner surface of the fastening hole 3341 may havethreads. Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

Referring to FIGS. 43 and 44, the drying module 500 may include a fan5300, a filter 5100 provided at an inlet of the fan 5300, a supply duct5200 connected to an outlet of the fan 5300, a branch duct 5400extending from a side of the supply duct 5200, and a discharge duct 5500connected to an outlet of the branch duct 5400.

Unlike the suction duct 52 described with reference to FIGS. 1-32, asuction duct may be omitted in the bed 10 a, as the drying module 500may be separated from the installation surface by the legs 70 so thatflow resistance may be low when suctioning air. However, when the leg 70is excluded, a suction duct may be connected to the inlet of the fan5300. In this alternative case, the filter 5100 may be mounted at aninlet end of the suction duct.

The fan 5300 may be installed as far as possible from the user's ear toreduce inconvenience and noise reaching the user. For example, the fan5300 may be provided at a point adjacent to the toe frame 63 of theguard frame 60. The supply duct 5200 may extend in a longitudinaldirection of the bed 10 a from the outlet of the fan 5300 and along acenter of the bottom of the bed 10 a.

Similar to the supply duct 54 described with reference to FIGS. 1-32,the supply duct 5200 may include a hard duct 5210 and a soft or flexibleduct 5220. The supply duct 5200 may be fixed to the bedframe 300 so asto move with a motion of the bedframe 300.

The branch duct 5400 may extend in a width direction of the bed 10 afrom left and right sides of the supply duct 5200. The branch duct 5400may have an end that is convexly bent or curved, and an upper surface ofthe curved end may be opened to form the outlet of the branch duct 5400.

The outlet of the branch duct 5400 may be connected to a center of abottom of the discharge duct 5500. A discharge port or slit 5510 may beformed in a slit shape at a center of the bottom of the discharge duct5500. Like the discharge duct 55 described with reference to FIGS. 1-32,an upper surface of the discharge duct 5500 may be opened so airdischarged from the discharge port 5510 may collide with a bottomsurface of the partition 40.

The discharge duct 5500 may have a predetermined width, which maycorrespond to a width of an upper side of the branch duct 5400 and/or awidth of the partition 40, but embodiments disclosed herein are notlimited. The discharge duct 5500 may extend in a direction parallel tothe branch duct 5400.

As shown in 44, the partition 40 may be formed of a body 41, fins 43,and a plurality of ventilation holes 44 formed in the body 41. Theplurality of ventilation holes 44 may be formed to be directly above thedischarge ducts 5500 so that air discharged from the discharge duct 5500may pass through the ventilation hole 44 to the topper 12.

Due to structural characteristics of the cushion module 20, when thedischarge duct 5500 is placed under the cushion case 21, the airdischarged from the discharge duct 5500 may spread to the side and thetopper 12, and an amount of air reaching the topper 12 may besignificantly reduced. By aligning the discharge duct 5500 with theplurality of ventilation holes 44, most of the air discharged from thedischarge duct 550 may pass through the partition 40 to a bottom of thetopper 12. Air that does not pass through the partition 40 may spread tothe side of the topper 12 or be guided to the topper 12 through gapsformed between the firmness adjusters M1. As an alternative, a button ofthe cushion case 21 may be formed with hole to allow air to pass throughbetween the cushion.

Referring to FIGS. 45 to 48, a bed 10 b according to a third embodimentmay have a cushion module 20 separable from the bedframe 300. A topper12 and the cushion module 20 may be held together by a bedsheet 11(e.g., a fitted or elastic sheet or a mattress protector) to form amattress set MS.

The bed 10 b may include a guard frame 60 and a bedframe 300 coupled tothe guard frame 60. The mattress set MS may be detachably seated in thebedframe 300. According to design conditions, the bed 10 b mayoptionally include a plurality of legs 70 extending from the lower fourcorners of the guard frame 60.

The guard frame 60, the bedframe 300, and the drying module 500 coupledto the bedframe 300 may be similar to the bed 10 a described withreference to FIGS. 33-44. Accordingly, redundant descriptions of theseconfigurations are omitted, and the contents described in the secondembodiment are applied mutatis mutandis.

The mattress set MS may include a mattress (i.e., the cushion module 20and the topper 12) and a seat plate 80 on which the mattress is placed.The mattress set MS may be interpreted as further including the bedcover 11 surrounding the mattress and the module seating plate 80.

According to design conditions, the mattress set MS may further includea safe guard 13 surrounding side surfaces of the cushion module 20 andthe seat plate 80. Since the safe guard 13 has already been describedwhen describing the bed 10 according to the first embodiment withreference to FIGS. 1-32, redundant descriptions will be omitted. Thecushion module 20 may include a plurality of firmness adjusters M1 and aplurality of partitions 40 provided between the plurality of firmnessadjusters M1 as described above.

Referring to FIGS. 49 to 51, the plurality of firmness adjusters M1(FIG. 48) may be fixed to an upper surface of the seat plate 80. Theseat plate 80 may have a plate structure formed by a plurality of plates810, 820, 830, 840 that are hinged or rotatably coupled to each other,the plurality of plates 810, 820, 830, 840 corresponding to sections ofthe bed frame 300 configured to be adjustable. The seat plate 80 mayinclude an upper body plate 81 and a lower body plate 82, which may beprovided on the upper body frame 3330 and lower body frame 3320 (FIGS.33-44), respectively.

The upper body plate 81 may include a front plate 810 and a rear plate820 rotatably connected to the front plate 810. The front plate 810 maybe provided on a section of the upper body frame 3320 having the frontframe 3322, and the rear plate 820 may be provided on a section of theupper body frame 3320 having the rear frame 3321 (see also FIG. 54).

The lower body plate 82 may include a front plate 830 and a rear plate840 rotatably connected to the front plate 830. The front plate 830 maybe provided on a section of the lower body frame 3330 having the frontframe 3331, and the rear plate 840 may be provided on a section of thelower body frame 3330 having the rear frame 3332 (FIG. 54).

A plurality of fastening holes 811, 821, 831 and 841 may be formed ineach of the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840, respectively. When theplurality of firmness adjusters M1 are seated on the seat plate 80, aplurality of fastening members (e.g., bolts or screws) may penetrate thefastening holes 811, 821, 831, 841 and the firmness adjusters M1. As anexample, the structure described in FIG. 42 may be applied. A fasteningboss may extend from the bottom surface of the bottom case 23 to beinserted into the fastening holes 811, 821, 831, 841, and the fasteningmembers may be inserted into the fastening boss and holes 811, 821, 831,841. The plates 810, 820, 830, and 840 may optionally include aplurality of holes through which air discharged from the dying module 50may flow, depending on a configuration of the drying module 50.

As shown in FIGS. 50 and 51, adjacent plates among the plates 810, 820,830, and 840 may be connected by one or more joint plates 85 and aplurality of joint hinges 86. A plurality of extension ends orprotrusions 832, 842 may protrude from each of the ends of the plates810, 820, 830, and 840. The plurality of extension ends 832, 842 may bespaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in a widthdirection of the seat plate 80. The joint plates 85 may have a pluralityof extension ends 851 which extend past the joint hinge 86, and theplurality of extension ends 851 may be configured to fit within or beengaged with the plurality of extension ends 832, 842 of the plates 810,820, 830, and 840.

The plurality of extension ends 851, 821, and 842 may have teeth thatengage or mesh with each other like gears. The plurality of extensionsends 851, 832, and 842 may be formed to have a plurality of protrusionsand recesses. The plurality of extensions ends 851 may fit with theplurality of extension ends 832, 842 like pieces to a puzzle, as theprotrusions of the extension ends 851 may fit within the recesses formedin the extension ends 832, 842.

The joint hinge 86 may pass through the extension ends 832, 842, 851 sothat two abutting plates of the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840 may rotateor pivot relative to each other. When two plates of the plates 810, 820,830, and 840 are directly connected by one joint hinge 86, a degree offreedom of bending of the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840 may be low. Abending degree of freedom of the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840 may bedefined as a radius of curvature of a curve (as shown by the dotted linein FIG. 51). A high degree of bending freedom may correspond to a largea radius of curvature. The higher the degree of bending freedom, thesmoother the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840 may appear when bent. Whenthe joint plate 85 is provided, the degree of bending freedom may beincreased. As a number of joint plates 85 increases, the degree ofbending freedom may increase. The figures show three joint plates 85between two adjacent plates (in FIGS. 50-51, between front and rearplates 830 and 840 of the lower body plate 82), but embodimentsdisclosed herein are not limited to a number of joint plates 85, and anappropriate number may be selected according to a desired tilting angleor degree of bending freedom.

A plurality of grooves of the extension ends 851 may engage with theplurality of extension ends 832 and 842 protruding from the sidesurfaces of the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840. The extension ends 851may be formed at both front and rear ends or sides of the joint plate85. Accordingly, the joint plate 85 and a side surface or end of a plateamong the plates 810, 820, 830, and 840 may be meshed with each other.The joint hinge 86 may be a cylindrical rod passing through the groovesof the extension ends 832, 842, and 851. The joint hinge 86 may be arotation axis between a joint plate 85 and an adjacent plate 810, 820,830, and/or 840.

A portion where two adjacent plates are connected by one or more jointplates 85 may be defined as a joint bending portion. The joint bendingportion may be a section including a plurality of joint plates 85 (e.g.,three) and a plurality of joint hinges 86 (e.g., four) coupling theplurality of joint plates 85 to two adjacent plates 810, 820, 830,and/or 840.

Referring to FIGS. 52 and 53, a bottom of the bed cover 11 may be formedwith a plurality of guide or air holes 111 so that air supplied from thedrying module 500 may be guided toward the topper 12. The plurality ofguide holes 111 may align with joint bending portions in the seat plate80 and/or the discharge ducts 550. A number of guide holes 111 maycorrespond to a number of discharge ducts 550.

When the mattress set MS is seated on the bedframe 300, the guide hole111 and the discharge duct 550 may be aligned in a vertical direction sothat the air discharged from the discharge duct 550 may be supplied intothe mattress set MS through the guide hole 111. Air discharged from thedischarge duct 550 may rise through gaps formed in the joint bendingportion and may be guided to the partition 40. As shown in FIG. 44, whena plurality of ventilation holes 44 are formed in the partition 40, airmay be easily transferred to the topper 12.

The fan 5300 may be provided under the user's feet when the user islying down so that a disruption of noise from the fan 5300 during sleepmay be reduced. A distance from an inner surface of the head frame 62 toan inner surface of the toe frame 63 may be designed to be longer than alength of the mattress set SM. While the mattress set SM is placed onthe bedframe 300, an upper end of the toe frame 63 may be higher than abottom of the mattress set SM. When the upper body frame 3320 is tiltedupward, a rear end of the mattress set MS may be caught by the toe frame63 and prevented from slipping downward.

As previously described, a stopper guard 68 may protrude from the upperend of the toe frame 63 to further prevent slipping. In addition, whenthe legs 70 are included, the dryer module 5000 may not require asuction duct, and air may be suctioned directly into the fan 5300.

Referring to FIG. 54, as previously described, an upper blocking film orlayer 75 and a lower blocking film or layer 77 may cover gaps during anoperation of the seating frame 3300. A part of the supply duct 5200fixed to the upper body frame 3320 and/or the lower frame 3330 may bemade of a hard duct 5210, and a part of the supply duct 5200 providedunder the joint bending portions may be made of a soft or flexible duct5220.

Referring to FIGS. 55 and 56, at least one buffer plate 700 may beprovided on top of the cushion module 20 to prevent or reduce discomfortfrom a back or waist pressing against the cushions C while the topper 12is compressed. For example, there may be one buffer plate 700 thatcovers two adjacent firmness adjusters M1, as shown in FIG. 55, whichmay correspond to a section of the seating frame 3300 (e.g., a sectionabove the upper body frame 3200, or a section above the front frames3322) However, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited with respectto an arrangement of the buffer plate 700 and firmness adjusters M1.

The topper 12 may be a memory or latex foam material that is pressedflat by a vertical load and then returns or decompresses to an initialor original state when the load is removed. When a thickness of thetopper 12 is too thin or the user's weight exceeds average, an amount ofcompression of the topper 12 may be large, and an upper surface of thecushion C, which includes outer and inner springs 93 and 94, may pressagainst the user's back or waist, resulting in discomfort. Since theremay be gaps between the plurality of cushions C, when lying down for along time, the user's back or waist may be stiffened by the cushions C,causing discomfort.

In order to prevent such discomfort, the buffer plate 700 may beinterposed between the topper 12 and the cushions C. The buffer plate700 may be provided over firmness adjusters M1 of one row.

A length of the buffer plate 700 may correspond to the width of thetopper 12, and a width of the buffer plate 700 may correspond to thewidth of the firmness adjuster M1. The width of the buffer plate 700 maymean the shorter side, while the length may mean the longer side. Thebuffer plates 700 may be arranged to reduce spaced or a heightdifference between cushions C, which may cause discomfort, while stillallowing firmness adjustment of the firmness modules M1.

The buffer plate 700 may include a buffer body 710 having apredetermined thickness, width, and length, and a plurality of cushionreceiving grooves or recesses 711 formed on the bottom surface of thebuffer body 710. The buffer body 710 may have a rectangular shape withrounded corners, but embodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

Upper ends of the cushions C may be inserted into the plurality ofcushion receiving grooves 711, which may provide added security to anarrangement of cushions C. Even if a portion of the mattress set SM istilted by the bedframe 300, collisions between adjacent cushions C maybe reduced or prevented by the cushion receiving grooves 711. Thecushion receiving groove 711 may be similar to the cushion receivinggroove or recess 123 described in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Hereinafter, a description of automatically adjusting the firmness ofthe bed by monitoring a sleeping position of the user will be describedaccording to an embodiment. Such a method may be applicable to the beds10, 10 a, 10 b described with reference to FIGS. 1-56.

Referring to FIGS. 57 and 58, the beds 10, 10 a, and 10 b according toan embodiment may further include a body pressure sensing sheet PAconfigured to sense a pressure at particular regions or sections. Thetop sheet 11 may be implemented as the body pressure sensing sheet PA,or the body pressure sensing sheet PA may be an additional sheetprovided above or below the top sheet 11. Embodiments disclosed hereinare not limited.

The body pressure sensing sheet PA may include a fibrous pressure sensorthat is thin and has high flexibility. The body pressure sensing sheetPA may feel like cloth. The body pressure sensing sheet PA may include afirst layer having a plurality of first electrode lines arranged in afirst (e.g., horizontal) direction, a second layer having a plurality ofsecond electrode lines arranged in a second (e.g., vertical) direction,and an intermediate later provided between the first and second layersto reduce or prevent direct contact between the first and secondelectrode lines. The intermediate layer may include a conductive fabricwhose resistance value may be changed by vertical pressure. Points wherethe first electrode line and the second electrode line intersect may bepressure measurement points.

Embodiments disclosed here are not limited to measuring pressure via theintersecting first and second electrode lines described above. The bodypressure detection sheet PA may have various structures and/or includevarious types of fibrous body pressure detection sensors (e.g., weightor tension sensors) capable of measuring a body pressure or weight ofthe user.

A body pressure distribution may be sensed using the fiber-type bodypressure sensor of the body pressure detection sheet PA, and based on acollective result of multiple measures at the pressure measurementpoints, different pressures in different sections of the bed thatcorrespond to different firmness adjusters M1 may be sensed. Acorresponding firmness adjuster M1 may be independently controlled basedon a desired firmness and sensed pressure above the correspondingfirmness adjuster M1. The body pressure sensing sheet PA may be attachedto the top surface of the topper 12 or may be alternatively embedded inthe topper 12.

A control box may be mounted on one side of the guard frame 60, and amicrocomputer or a controller may be installed inside the control box. Abody pressure value measured by the body pressure detection sheet PA maybe transmitted to the controller, and the controller may processcollected body pressure data through sampling and filtering processes.

The controller may create an image representing a distribution of bodypressure for each body area of the user based on the processed data andoutput the image to a display. The display may be provided in the guardframe 60, remote controller, or may be a separate screen pad.Alternatively or in addition thereto, the image may be accessible via amobile or web application that communicates with the controller, whichmay have a communication module (e.g., a WiFi or Bluetooth module). Thebody pressure distribution image as shown in FIGS. 57 and 58 may bedisplayed on the display. The display may be connected (e.g., wired orwirelessly via WiFi or Bluetooth) to the controller.

As shown in FIGS. 57 and 58, weight may be concentrated to specificparts P1 to P5 of the body according to a user's lying position. Bodypressure may increase where weight is concentrated, so the body pressuredetection sheet PA may sense relatively high pressure values at parts orsections P1 to P5. The controller may increase the firmness by operatingcorresponding firmness adjusters M1 that support a body part where bodyweight is concentrated and body pressure increases.

Hereinafter, a method of automatically or manually adjusting thefirmness at an area where weight is concentrated will be described indetail through the flowchart of FIG. 59. During firmness controlaccording to a first embodiment, the controller may automatically adjustfirmness of the bed so that the bed may have a uniform firmness. Theautomatic control may be based on the body pressure distribution datatransmitted from the body pressure detection sheet PA described above.However, embodiments disclosed herein are not limited. For example, thefirmness of the bed may be adjusted so that a left side corresponding toa left user has a first uniform firmness, and the firmness of the bed ata right side corresponding to a right user may be adjusted to have asecond uniform firmness. In other embodiments, the user may be able toselect via a user interface (e.g., provided on the display and/or theguard 60) predetermined firmness levels for each region of the bed thatcorresponds to a firmness adjuster M1.

Referring to FIG. 59, first, the user may turn on the bed to supplypower to the bed 10, 10 a, or 10 b (S110). The user may lie on the bed10, 10 a, or 10 b before or after turning the bed 10, 10 a, or 10 b on.For example, the user may be able turn the bed 10, 10 a, or 10 b on viaa remote control or a button on an inner surface of the head frame 62.

When the bed 10, 10 a, or 10 b is turned on, the motion controller 30 or300 may be turned on, along with the body pressure sensing sheet PA anda body pressure regulator or controller 800 to be described later. Thebody pressure regulator 800 may be a user interface (e.g., remotecontrol, mobile or web application) through which the user may selectdesired firmness levels. The controller may also be turned on.

The user may select an “automatic mode” by operating the body pressureregulator 800 (S120). For convenience of description, the body pressureregulator 800 will be described as a remote controller (shown in FIG.60) that is wirelessly connected to the controller (e.g., via Bluetoothor WiFi). One of ordinary skill in the art will know that the controllermay include a microcomputer and/or processer mounted on a printedcircuit board (PCB) provided in the control box.

Referring quickly to FIG. 60, the body pressure regulator 800 mayinclude a main body 8100, a power button 8200 provided on the front sideof the main body 8100, and a display 8300 provided on the front side ofthe main body 8100. The body pressure regulator 800 may be provided witha plurality of mechanical input buttons below the display 8300 and/or ora plurality of touch input buttons on the display 8300. The power buttonmay be a mechanical button that the user must press with a certainamount of force. Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to animplementation of the power button 8200 or other buttons.

When the user presses the power button 8200, the display 8300 may beactivated, and the body pressure regulator 800 and the controller may bewirelessly connected or coupled to communicate (via, e.g., communicationmodules having WiFi or Bluetooth modules). The display 8300 may displaymenu items or regions.

For example, while the display 8300 is activated, the user may operate amenu button 8310 to select between the “automatic mode” and a “manualmode” displayed on different sides of the screen display 8300. The bodypressure regulator 800 may optionally include a speaker or a lightindicator.

The user may initiate the automatic mode by touching a menu button 8310provided below the automatic mode display (e.g., the left button 8310),and an automatic mode command may be transmitted to the controllerthrough a short-range wireless communication module embedded in thecontrol box. The short-range wireless communication module may includeWi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. Hereinafter, the controller provided inthe control box of the bed will be referred to as a main controller.

Referring back to FIG. 59, when the automatic mode command is receivedby the main controller, the main controller may transmit a body pressuredetection command to a controller of the body pressure detection sheetPA. A body pressure scanning process of detecting body pressure at aplurality of body pressure detection points or areas formed on the bodypressure detection sheet PA may be performed (S130). The controller ofthe body pressure sensing sheet PA may be referred to as a subcontroller. The body pressure scanning operation may be performedrepeatedly a predetermined number of times within a predetermined timeframe, and a plurality of measurement data corresponding to a pluralityof times may be extracted for any given point.

The scan may be determined to be complete when measurement datacorresponding to a given point is maintained in a predetermined range,indicating that pressure or detection has stabilized at the given point.Whether the body pressure has stabilized based on sensed pressure valuesbeing inside the predetermined range may be determined (S140) by the subcontroller. For example, when a person lying in bed turns, sensed bodypressure values may fluctuate in a very large range outside of thepredetermined range, and in this state, an accurate body pressure valuemay not be obtained. In this example, the sub controller may determinethat the body pressure is not stable (“No” after S140). If the bodypressure is detected a predetermined number of times at a predeterminedtime interval and a variation of the body pressure values determinednumber of times hether thethe predetermined range, the sub controllermay determine that the body pressure scan process has been normallyperformed and/or that the body pressure has stabilized (“Yes” afterS140).

If it is determined that the pressure has not stabilized (“No” afterS140), the sub controller may stop the body pressure scan for apredetermined time and wait (S141), and when a predetermined timeelapses, the body pressure scanning process (S130) may be resumed orrepeated. If it is determined that a fluctuation range of the bodypressure values, the body pressure scanning prochin the predeterminedrange (ngetermined nge o, an average value of the body pressure valuesues, the body pressure scanning prochin the 0) nge of a plurality ofbody pressure values t must be maa cert Referring quickly to FIG. 61,when an automatic mode is selected and a body pressure scan is started,information indicating that a body pressure scan is currently inprogress may be output on the display 8300 of the body pressureregulator 800.

The information may be provided by any one of text, image, sound, video,or a combination thereof.

Referring back to FIG. 59, once it is determined that the body pressurescan has been completed because the pressure has stabilized (“Yes afterS140), and after the body pressure values at points are determined basedon an average of values, the controller may transmit the determined bodypressure values to the main sub controller (S150). The main controllermay extract body pressure values for each body region by processing andanalyzing the body pressure values ned time are performed at (controller(S160).

The main controller may generate a body pressure distribution imageusing the extracted body pressure values for each body region andtransmit the body pressure distribution image to the body pressureregulator 800. The transmitted body pressure distribution image may beoutput on the display 8300 of the body pressure regulator 800 (S170).

Referring to FIG. 62, a body pressure distribution image generated bythe main controller may be expressed as a color or graded image. Forexample, a point or area determined to have a relatively high pressurevalue due to a concentration of body weight may have a red color, and apoint or area determined to have a relatively low pressure value mayhave a blue color. Pressure values in between may have colors in betweenred and blue on the color spectrum. The main controller may optionallynormalize sensed pressures over time or across the points or areas todetermine which pressures may be considered high for a user and whichpressures may be considered low, but embodiments disclosed herein arenot limited.

Referring to the dotted line portion of the body pressure distributionimage shown in FIG. 62, body pressure may be detected high at the user'shead, shoulders, and hips while the user is lying down. Referring backto FIG. 59, the main controller may determine whether there is an areawhere body pressure is concentrated compared to other areas based on theextracted body pressure data for each body area (S180).

When it is determined that there is an area in which the body pressurevalue exceeds a predetermined range or value (“Yes” after S180), themain controller may operate the cushion module 20 to adjust (e.g.,increase) the firmness at the corresponding area (S181). A range may bedetermined as a difference between a highest determined pressure and alowest determined pressure among the areas, and if such a range islarger than the predetermined range, the corresponding area to beadjusted may correspond to the area having the highest determinedpressure. As an alternative example, the predetermined range be adifference between a highest determined pressure and an average pressureamong the areas or points, and if such a range is larger than thepredetermined range, the corresponding area to be adjusted maycorrespond to the area having the highest determined pressure. In yetanother example, if a pressure value sensed in an area exceeds apredetermined pressure, the firmness of such an area may be adjusted.Embodiments disclosed herein are not limited.

Referring back to FIGS. 21 and 27, the main controller may generate acontrol signal to the motor 24 of the cushion module 20 so that themotor 24 rotates in one direction. A rotational force of the motor 24may be transmitted to the drive gear 251 and the transmission gear 990so that the inner case 92 of the cushion C rises.

As the inner case 92 rises, the inner spring 94 also rises, therebyincreasing the firmness of the cushion C. As the firmness of the cushionC may increase, the body pressure value sensed in the area above thecushion C may decrease. During an adjustment process (S181), pressuremay be continuously sensed (e.g., in short time increments), and whenthe sensed body pressure value at the area decreases such that adetermined range (as described above) falls within the predeterminedrange, the adjustment process S181 may stop. When the body pressureadjustment in the area is completed through this method, a currentfirmness of the cushion module 20 and/or the firmness adjuster M1 at thecorresponding area may be stored and maintained in a memory of the maincontroller or controller (S190). Alternatively or in addition thereto, afirmness adjuster M1 may be controlled to lower the inner case 92 basedon a comparison between the sensed pressure and a predetermined pressureor predetermined pressure range.

Referring to FIG. 63, when the body pressure adjustment is completed, amessage indicating that the body pressure adjustment is completed may bedisplayed on the display 8300 of the body pressure regulator 800. Inaddition, a message recommending that the user touch or operate themanual mode button may be displayed if the body pressure control is tobe manually readjusted.

In a method of controlling the firmness of the bed according to a secondembodiment, the manual mode may be selected after the automaticadjustment method described above, or the manual mode may be selected bythe user at the beginning so that the user may directly adjust thefirmness of the bed.

Referring to FIG. 64, first, the power of the beds 10, 10 a, and 10 bmay be turned on by the user (S210), and the user may select the manualmode (S220). If the user selects the manual mode right after theautomatic mode is completed, the process of turning on the bed may beomitted.

When the manual mode is selected by the user while the bed is powered on(S220), a body pressure detection command may be transmitted from themain controller to the body pressure detection sheet PA. The bodypressure detection sheet PA may perform a pressure scan (S230), and,like the previous steps S140 and S141, whether the sensed pressurevalues may be determined (S240), and if the pressure values have notstabilized, the scan may be paused for a predetermined amount of time(S241) before the pressure scan is resumed or repeated (S230). Once thesensed pressure values have stabilized, the body pressure detection datamay be calculated and transmitted to the main controller (S250). Themain control may extract the body pressure for each body area throughprocessing (S260) and a body pressure distribution image may begenerated and output (S270).

Steps S210 through S270 may be similar to Steps S110-S170 in FIG. 59 andrepetitive details may be omitted. However, under the manual mode, thereis a difference in that the body pressure distribution image may beoutput as a part of a body pressure control screen of the display 8300,which may be optionally interactive (see FIG. 65). When the bodypressure control screen is output on the display 8300 (S270), the usermay select a body pressure control area to be adjusted (S280) and afirmness level at the selected area (S290).

The controller or main controller may periodically sense whether acomplete command has been input (S300), and when the command has beeninput (“Yes” after S300), the manual control mode may end. Otherwise,(“No” after S300), the body pressure detection sheet PA may continue tosense body pressures and update the image output on the display 8300.

Referring to FIG. 65, on the display 8300 of the body pressurecontroller 800, an adjustment region search screen 8400 and anadjustment region menu screen 8500 may be displayed together. Theadjustment region menu screen 8500 may include an adjustment regionchange button 8510 used for the user to select a firmness level, and acushion firmness change button 8520 to newly set the firmness in aselected area or region. A completion button 8530 may be used to input acommand to complete a manual firmness adjustment process.

The adjustment region change button 8510 may include an upper movementbutton 8510 a and a lower movement button 8510 b to raise or lower,respectively, a position of the cursor 8420. The adjustment regionsearch screen 8400 may show a body pressure distribution image 8410divided into a plurality of areas from head to toe, and a cursor 8420provided at an edge of the adjustment region search screen 8400

In order to select a point at which the user wants to change thefirmness of a firmness adjustor M1 of the cushion module 20, when theuser touches or presses the adjustment region change button 8510, thecursor 8420 may appear on the screen and/or move. When the user touchesthe upper movement button 8510 a several times for a short time orcontinuously for a long time, the cursor 8420 may moves upward in stepsor rapidly move upward, respectively. Through this operation, the cursor8420 may be positioned at a vertical position corresponding to a regionto be selected.

When the cursor 8420 is positioned at a point or area where bodypressure is selected to be concentrated, the user may increase thefirmness at the selected point by operating the cushion firmness changebutton 8520. For example, when a firmness increasing button 8520 a ispressed several times or pressed for a long time, the firmness at thepoint indicated by the cursor 8420 may be increased, and the firmnessadjustor M1 may be controlled accordingly, When a firmness decreasingbutton 8520 b is pressed several times or pressed for a long time, thefirmness at the point indicated by the cursor 8420 may be decreased. Asan example, the firmness at some areas may be selected to be at astronger level than other areas by using the cursor 8420 toindependently control various firmness adjustors M1 corresponding to theselected areas.

During the manual adjustment process, a pressure scan (S230) may berepeatedly performed, and steps 240 through 270 may be repeatedlyperformed so as to update the body pressure distribution image on thedisplay 8400. The user may readjust firmness based on the updated bodypressure distribution image on the display 8400.

This process may be repeated many times before the user touches thecompletion button 8530 to complete the body pressure adjustment process.In addition, the firmness adjustment completion command may betransmitted to the main controller.

When the firmness or body pressure adjustment process is all completed,a message indicating that the firmness adjustment process has beencompleted may be displayed on the display 8300, as shown in FIG. 66.Further, when the firmness is automatically or manually re-changed, amessage recommending the user to touch a button to select a desired modemay be displayed together. Embodiments disclosed herein may facilitatean improved sleeping condition and posture.

Embodiments disclosed herein may provide a bed including a topper havingan upper surface that a user's body touches, at least one firmnesscontroller or adjuster capable of adjusting a cushion strength orfirmness, and a motion controller or bedframe supporting the firmnessadjuster and capable having at least a portion tilted.

A mattress provided on the bedframe may include a plurality of cushionor firmness adjustment modules fixed to an upper surface of the motioncontroller. Each of the plurality of cushion modules may include a case,a plurality of cushion members or cushions seated in the case, and adriving means or drive to adjust the firmness of the plurality ofcushions by gear coupling with the plurality of cushions.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising atopper that the user's body touches on an upper surface, a firmnesscontroller supporting the topper and capable of adjusting a cushionstrength or firmness, and a motion controller or adjustable bedframesupporting the strength controller and at least partially tiltabletogether with the strength controller.

The strength controller may include a plurality of strength controlmodules or firmness adjusters fixed to an upper surface of the motioncontroller, and the plurality of strength control modules may include acushion member or cushion provided with at least one elastic body. Apower transmission means may adjust the cushion strength of theplurality of cushion members.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising atopper that the user's body touches, a strength or firmness controllersupporting the topper and including a plurality of strength or firmnesscontrol modules capable of adjusting cushion strength, a motioncontroller or bedframe in which a plurality of intensity control modulesare coupled to an upper surface, and at least a portion of which istiltable together with the strength controller, and a drying module ordryer coupled to the motion controller from a lower side of the strengthcontroller to supply indoor or ambient air toward the topper.

Since a height of an inner spring provided inside the cushion member maybe adjusted, the user may easily set the desired level of firmness. Thefirmness may be linearly adjusted through to height adjustment of theinner spring. By connecting the drive to a transmission gear provided ata lower end of the cushion member, the firmness of a plurality ofcushions may be simultaneously adjusted by just one drive.

The strength controller may include a plurality of strength controlmodules or firmness adjusters. One strength control module may include aplurality of cushion members arranged in a width direction of the bed,and in a length of the bed. The user may adjust the cushion strength ofthe mattress differently for each body part, thereby providing anoptimal or advantageous sleep state.

Since a part of the bed may be tilted through an operation of the motioncontroller, the user may have a better or customizable sleeping posture.Separating and replacing the topper may be easy and convenient, andreplacing or repairing the strength control module may be convenientwhen the topper is separated.

By installing the drying module at the bottom of the bed, mold on thetopper may be prevented. In addition, since the topper may be maintainedin a dry state above a certain dryness level, comfort may be improvedwhen the user touches the cool or dry bed, thereby helping the user toget a good night's sleep.

By a fiber-type body pressure sensor, embodiments disclosed herein mayquickly identify where a user's body pressure is concentrated when theuser lies on the bed. Based on body pressure value data detected by thebody pressure sensor, a cushion strength in an area where body pressureis concentrated may be appropriately adjusted through an automatic ormanual operation of the firmness or intensity control module, therebyimproving a quality of life and sleep.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amattress having a prescribed width and a prescribed length, the mattresshaving a plurality of cases. Each case may include a plurality ofcushions provided in the case, a drive coupled to the case, and aplurality of driving gears configured to transmit a force from the driveto the plurality of cushions such that a firmness of the cushions in thecase may be adjusted when the drive may be operated. The mattress mayinclude a top pad provided over the plurality of cushions of theplurality of cases, and a cover provided to surround the top pad and theplurality of cases.

The bed may further comprise a main frame having a first frame rotatablycoupled to a second frame such that a posture of the main frame may beadjustable, and a guard surrounding sides of the main frame andmattress. The mattress may include a partition provided along adirection of the prescribed width and between a pair of adjacent cases.At least one of the partition, the top pad, or the guard may be made ofan elastic foam material.

The main frame may have a first frame configured to support a firstsection of a user's body, a second frame hinged to the first frame andconfigured to support a section of a user's upper body and hinged to thefirst frame, a third frame configured to support a first section of auser's lower body and hinged to the first frame, a fourth frameconfigured to support a second section of a user's lower body and hingedto the third frame, a first actuator configured to rotate the firstframe with respect to the second frame, and a second actuator configuredto rotate the third frame with respect to the first frame.

The mattress may include a top pad provided over the plurality ofcushions of the plurality of cases. The top pad may include a pluralityof sleeves protruding from a bottom surface. The plurality of sleevesmay be configured to surround upper ends of the plurality of cushions.

Each cushion may include a first elastic member, a second elastic membersurrounding the first elastic member, a screw configured to change aheight of the first elastic member with respect to the second elasticmember when the screw may be rotated, and a transmission gear configuredto rotate the screw and configured to engage with at least one drivegear of the plurality of drive gears.

The drive may include at least one of an actuator or a motor. Theplurality of drive gears include a first gear coupled to a rotationshaft of the drive, at least one second gear engaged with the firstgear, and a plurality of third gears provided between adjacenttransmission gears. The second gear may be engaged with at least onethird gear or the transmission gear.

A main frame may be provided under the mattress, and a dryer may becoupled to a bottom of the main frame and configured to blow air towardthe mattress. The dryer may include a fan having an inlet to suction airand at least one outlet to discharge air, at least one supply ductcoupled to the at least one outlet, at least one discharge duct coupledto the supply duct and having a discharge port through which airsuctioned through the fan and guided through the supply duct may bedischarged toward the mattress, and a filter configured to filtersuctioned air. The fan may be a centrifugal fan having the inlet on abottom surface and the outlet on a side surface such that air may besuctioned in an axial direction of the fan and discharged in a radialdirection of the fan.

A guard may surround sides of the main frame and mattress. The guard mayinclude a suction opening. The dryer may include a suction duct coupledto an inlet of the fan and having a suction port exposed through thesuction opening. The filter may be provided at the inlet of the fan, atthe suction port, or at the suction opening.

The supply duct may be provided over the suction duct. The supply ductmay have at least one section that extends in a direction along theprescribed length. The supply duct and the suction duct may be parallelto each other. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the suction ductmay be perpendicular to at least one section of the supply duct. Atleast one of the suction duct or the supply duct may include a flexiblesection configured to bend with a movement of the main frame.

The discharge duct may include a bottom surface and side walls definingan upper opening. The discharge port may be formed in the bottomsurface. The discharge duct may extend in a direction perpendicular tothe supply duct.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amain frame configured to bend and straighten and a mattress configuredto bend and straighten with a movement of the main frame. The mattressmay include a plurality of cases coupled to the main frame. Each casemay have a plurality of springs coupled to a plurality of gears and onemotor configured to rotate the plurality of gears of the case to adjusta height of the plurality of springs.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amain frame configured to bend and straighten, a mattress configured tobend and straighten with a movement of the main frame, and a dryercoupled to a bottom of the main frame. The mattress may include aplurality of cases coupled to a top of the main frame. Each case mayhave a plurality of cushions and a drive configured to adjust a firmnessof the plurality of cushions. The dryer may have an inlet, a fanconfigured to suction air through the inlet, and an outlet such that airdischarged through the outlet may be guided toward the mattress.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amain frame and a mattress provided on the main frame. The mattress mayinclude a plurality of cases. Each case may have a plurality of cushionsand a motor configured to adjust a firmness of the plurality ofcushions. The main frame may include a first frame configured to supportan upper body, a second frame configured to support a lower body, and afirst drive configured to move the first frame relative to the secondframe. The first frame may have a plurality of first slats to supportthe mattress. At least one case may be coupled to the plurality of firstslats. The second frame may have a plurality of second slats to supportthe mattress. At least one case may be coupled to the plurality ofsecond slats.

The first frame may include a first section, a second section hinged tothe first section, and a linkage coupling the first section to the firstdrive. The first drive may include a motor and a shaft. The shaft may befixed to the linkage such that, when the motor rotates the shaft, atleast a portion of the linkage may be rotated with the shaft. Thelinkage may be coupled to the first section and the second section. Thelinkage may include a first link coupled to the first section and asecond link coupled to the first link and the shaft.

The first section may include a pair of first side frames. At least onefirst slat may extend between the pair of first side frames. The secondsection may include a pair of second side frames. At least one firstslat may extend between the pair of second side frames. The linkage mayinclude a pair of links parallel to each other. Each link in the pair oflinks may include a pair of first links coupled to the pair of firstside frames, respectively, and a pair of second links coupled to thepair of first links, respectively, and the shaft.

A second drive may be configured to move the second frame relative tothe first frame. The second drive may include a motor and a shaft. Thesecond frame may include a first section, a second section hinged to thefirst section, and a linkage coupling the first and second sections tothe shaft.

The linkage may include a first link coupled to the shaft, and a secondlink coupled to the second section and the first link. The second linkmay be coupled to the first link via a connection link, and at least oneof the couplings between the second link and the second section, theconnection link and the second link, or the connection link and thefirst link may be a hinge coupling.

The first link may be coupled to the shaft via a bracket. The bracketmay be fixed to the shaft and rotatably coupled to the first link. Thelinkage may include an arm link fixed to the bracket and configured torotate with a rotation of the shaft so as to maintain contact with abottom of the rear section.

The first section may include a pair of first side frames. At least onefirst slat may extend between the pair of first side frames. The secondsection may include a pair of second side frames. At least one firstslat may extend between the pair of second side frames. The first linkmay include a pair of first links coupled to the shaft, and the secondlink may include a pair of second links coupled to the pair of secondside frames and the pair of first links.

An elastic foam layer may be seated on top of the mattress to bedetachable. A guard may be configured to support the main frame andsurround an outer side of the main frame. A plurality of legs maysupport the guard and may space the main frame apart from a floorsurface.

A first blocking sheet may be coupled to a front of the guard and afront of the main frame. A second blocking sheet may be coupled to arear of the guard and a rear of the main frame. The first and secondblocking sheets may cover gaps formed during a movement of the mainframe. A dryer may be coupled to a bottom of the main frame. The dryermay have a fan to suction air and discharge air toward the mattress.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amain frame, a mattress provided on the main frame, and a dryer coupledto a bottom of the main frame. The main frame may have a plurality ofslats extending in a first direction, a first frame, and a second frameadjacent to the first frame in a second direction perpendicular to thefirst direction. The first and second frames may be rotatable relativeto each other. The mattress may include a plurality of cases. Each casemay have a plurality of cushions and a drive configured to adjust afirmness of the plurality of cushions. The plurality of cases may becoupled to the plurality of slats. The dryer may have a fan configuredto suction air, a supply duct extending in the second direction andcoupled to an outlet of the fan, and a plurality of discharge ductsextending in the second direction. Each discharge duct may have anoutlet through which air may be discharged through the plurality ofslats and toward the mattress.

A plurality of legs may support the main frame and may space the dryerapart from a floor surface. A partition may be provided between adjacentcases and the first and second frames to prevent collision of thecushions during a movement of the first or second frames. The partitionmay be made of an elastic material and have a plurality of holes throughwhich air discharged from the dryer flows. The fan may be configured tosuction air in an axial direction and discharge air in a radialdirection.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amain frame having a plurality of frames hinged to each other so as to berotatable relative to each other, a plurality of cases coupled to theplurality of frames, each case having a plurality of cushions, and atleast one partition provided between adjacent of cases at a positionaligned with a rotation axis of the plurality of frames so as to preventcollision between cushions during rotations of the plurality of frames.Each case may have a drive configured to adjust a firmness of theplurality of cushions. The partition may be made of an elastic materialand including a plurality of fins formed in an upper section.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amattress, a main frame configured to support the mattress, the mainframe having a plurality of frames adjacent in a first direction thatmay be rotatable relative to each other, a plurality of plates adjacentin the first direction, the plurality of plates seated on the pluralityof frames, respectively, and at least one joint provided between andhinged to adjacent plates so that the plurality of plates may berotatable relative to each other. The joint may align with a rotationaxis between adjacent frames of the main frame. The at least one jointmay include three joints hinged to each other.

The joint may include a plurality of teeth. The plates may include aplurality of teeth configured to engage with the plurality of teeth ofthe joints. A hinge pin may penetrate the plurality of teeth of thejoints and the plates.

Each frame may include a plurality of cases coupled to the frame. Eachcase may include a plurality of cushions, and a drive configured toadjust a firmness of the plurality of cushions.

Each case may include a bottom case coupled to the frame and an uppercase in which the cushions may be provided. The drive may include amotor housed between the bottom case and the upper case.

Each cushion may include an outer case, an outer spring provided insideof the outer case, an inner case provided inside of the outer case andthe outer spring, an inner spring provided in the inner case, a screwconfigured to change a height of the inner spring relative to the outerspring when the screw may be rotated, and a transmission gear configuredto rotate the screw. The drive may include a motor and a gear assemblyconfigured to engage with the transmission gear to rotate thetransmission gear. When the transmission gear is rotated, a height ofthe inner spring may change with respect to a height of the outerspring, and a firmness of the cushion may change.

At least one partition may be provided above the joint to be between theadjacent plates and adjacent cases. The partitions may include aplurality of slits to allow air to flow therebetween and a plurality offins at an upper portion.

A guard may surround the main frame, the plurality of plates, and themattress. An inner surface of the guard may include a ledge to which themain frame may be coupled. The guard may include legs provided atcorners of the guard to space the main frame apart from an installationsurface.

A dryer may be coupled to a bottom of the main frame. The dryer mayinclude a fan configured to suction air in an axial direction anddischarge air in a radial direction, a supply duct coupled to an outletof the fan and extending in the first direction, the supply duct havinga plurality of extensions that branch off toward a second directionperpendicular to the first direction, and a discharge port provided atends of the extensions and configured to discharge air upward toward themattress. Portions of the supply duct below the rotation axes of theframes may be configured to be flexible so that the supply duct moveswith a rotation of the frames.

A cover sheet may surround the mattress and the seat plate. The coversheet may have a plurality of holes through which air discharged fromthe dryer flows.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amattress having a plurality of independently controlled regions, eachregion having a drive to control a firmness of the region, a main frameconfigured to support the mattress, the main frame configured to have aplurality of frames that may be rotatable relative to each other toadjust a posture of the main frame, a plurality of legs to space themattress apart from a floor surface, and a dryer coupled to a bottom ofthe main frame and configured to discharge air toward the mattress todry the mattress. The dryer may include a fan configured to suction airthrough an inlet of the fan, a duct coupled to an outlet of the fan toguide discharged air through the duct, the duct having at least oneflexible section provided under a rotation axis between adjacent framesof the main frame, and a plurality of extensions branched off from theduct. The plurality of extensions may have discharge ports through whichair may be discharged upward toward the mattress.

A sheet may be woven with a plurality of electrodes to sense a pressurein the regions. The firmness of the region may be adjusted based on thesensed pressure.

The fan may be provided under a foot of the main frame. The duct mayextend from the fan in a longitudinal direction of the main frame towarda head of the main frame. The extensions may extend in a directionperpendicular to the duct.

Discharge ducts may be provided on top of the extensions. The dischargeducts may have discharge slots that extend in a direction parallel to alongitudinal direction of the main frame to discharge air upward.

The mattress may include a first layer and a second layer provided overthe first layer. The first layer may have a plurality of first springsand a plurality of second springs. The drive may include at least onemotor configured to change a height of the plurality of first springsrelative to the plurality of second springs to adjust the firmness ofthe mattress. A second layer may be provided over the first layer. Thesecond layer may be made of an elastic foam material to provide paddingover the first and second springs.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amain frame having a plurality of frames adjacent in a first directionthat may be rotatable relative to each other a seat plate having aplurality of plates adjacent in the first direction that may berotatable relative to each other, wherein the plurality of plates may beprovided over the plurality of frames, respectively, a plurality ofcases provided over the seat plate, the plurality of cases having aplurality of cushions, an elastic foam pad provided over the pluralityof spring cushions, at least one partition provided between adjacentcases at a position corresponding to a rotation axis between twoadjacent frames, a fan provided under a first end of the main frame tosuction air, a duct coupled to the fan to receive air discharged fromthe fan, the duct extending in the first direction toward a second endof the main frame opposite the first end, and a plurality of dischargeports configured to discharge air upward toward the cushions and elasticfoam pad.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method ofcontrolling mattress firmness comprising sensing a pressure at aplurality of points on a mattress, determining a plurality of averagepressure values for a plurality of regions of the mattress based on thesensed pressure at the plurality of points, and independently operatinga plurality of motors based on the determined average pressure values. Acorresponding motor may be provided in a corresponding region.

Each motor may rotate a gear among a plurality of gears engaged witheach other. Some of the plurality of gears may be coupled to a pluralityof cushions corresponding to a region among the plurality of regionssuch that, when the motor in the region is powered to rotate the gear, afirmness of the cushions in the region may be adjusted.

Each cushion may include an outer spring, an inner spring provided in acase, and a screw provided between the case and a gear of the pluralityof gears such that, when the motor is powered to rotate the gear, aheight of the inner spring may change with respect to the outer springto adjust the firmness of the cushion.

A pressure sensing sheet may be provided on the mattress to sense thepressure at the plurality of points. The pressure sensing sheet may havea plurality of first electrode lines that intersect with a plurality ofsecond electrode lines. Intersections between the plurality of first andsecond electrode lines may correspond to the plurality of points.

The method may further comprise processing the average pressure values,generating a pressure distribution image based on the processed averagepressure values, and outputting the pressure distribution image on adisplay. Generating the pressure distribution image may includegenerating a color coded image, wherein a spectrum of colors correspondsto a range of the average pressure values. A user interface may beprovided on a remote controller having a display.

Upon receiving an automatic command based on a user input into a userinterface, the step of independently operating the plurality of motorsbased on the determined average pressure value may include determining arange value of the determined average pressure values, the range valuebeing a difference between the highest average pressure and the lowestaverage pressure, comparing the determined range value to apredetermined range value, and when the determined range exceeds thepredetermined range, operating the motor to change the firmness in theregion having the highest pressure or operating the motor to change thefirmness in the region having the lowest pressure. After independentlyoperating the plurality of motors based on the determined averagepressure value, the method may include repeating the sensing thepressure, determining the average pressure, and independently operatinguntil the determined range does not exceed the predetermined range.

Upon receiving an automatic command based on a user input into a userinterface, the step of independently operating the plurality of motorsbased on the determined average pressure value may include comparing thedetermined average pressure value for a region to a predeterminedmaximum pressure value for the region, and when the determined averagepressure value for the region exceeds the predetermined maximum pressurevalue for the region, operating the motor in the region to change thefirmness. After independently operating the plurality of motors based onthe determined average pressure value, the method may include repeatingthe sensing the pressure, determining the average pressure, andindependently operating until the determined average pressure values forthe regions do not exceed the predetermined maximum pressure values forthe regions.

Upon receiving an automatic command based on a user input into a userinterface, the step of independently operating the plurality of motorsbased on the determined average pressure value may include comparing thedetermined average pressure value for a region to a predeterminedminimum pressure value for the region, and when the determined averagepressure value for the region is less than the predetermined minimumpressure value for the region, operating the motor in the region tochange the firmness. After independently operating the plurality ofmotors based on the determined average pressure value, the method mayinclude repeating the sensing the pressure, determining the averagepressure, and independently operating until the determined averagepressure values for the regions are not below the predetermined minimumpressure values for the regions.

Upon receiving a manual command based on a user input into a userinterface and receiving a selected pressure value for a region via theuser interface, the step of independently operating the plurality ofmotors based on the determined average pressure value may includecomparing the determined average pressure value for a region to thedesired pressure value, and operating the motor for the region to changethe firmness to the selected pressure value. After independentlyoperating the plurality of motors based on the determined averagepressure value, the method may include repeating the sensing thepressure, determining the average pressure, and independently operatinguntil the determined average pressure values for the regions are withina predetermined error range of the selected pressure value.

Sensing the pressure at the plurality of points on the mattress mayinclude repeatedly sensing the pressure, determining a differencebetween a current sensed pressure and a previous sensed pressure,comparing the determined difference to a predetermined error range, whenthe determined difference is within the predetermined error range for apredetermined time period, proceeding to the step of determining theaverage pressure value, and when the determined difference is not withinthe predetermined error range for the predetermined time period,stopping sensing for a predetermined waiting period, and repeating thestep of repeatedly sensing the pressure after the predetermined waitingperiod.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a method ofcontrolling a mattress firmness comprising receiving a command to adjusta firmness of the mattress, performing a pressure scan of the mattress,storing data from the pressure scan, processing the stored data,determining, using the stored data, pressure values corresponding aplurality of regions of the mattress, each region having a plurality ofelastic members, generating, via the processed data, a pressuredistribution image, outputting the pressure distribution image on adisplay, comparing the determined pressure values to predeterminedpressure values, and independently controlling a corresponding motor fora corresponding region based on the comparison between the determinedpressure values and the predetermined pressure values, each motor beingconfigured to change a height of some of the elastic members in a regioncompared to the other elastic members in the region. The pressure scanmay include sensing a plurality of pressures using a pressure sensorsheet provided on a mattress.

The predetermined pressure values may be selected based on a userselection via a user interface provided on a remote controller, theremote controller having the display. The predetermined pressure valuesmay be determined based on at least one of past user selections providedvia a user interface, a weight of a user entered via a user interface,or a comparison of all of the determined pressure values to each other.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a bed comprising amattress having a first layer and a second layer provided over the firstlayer, the first layer having a plurality of adjustable cushions. Eachadjustable cushion may include a case, a plurality of elastic cushionsprovided on the case, a drive coupled to the case, and a plurality ofdriving gears configured to transmit a force from the drive to theplurality of elastic cushions such that a firmness of the adjustablecushion is adjusted when the drive is operated.

A cover sheet may be configured to surround at least the first andsecond layers. The second layer may be made of an elastic foam. A bottomof the elastic foam may be formed with a plurality of cushion sleeves inwhich upper ends of the plurality of elastic cushions are inserted.

Each elastic cushion may include a first elastic member, a secondelastic member, a first case coupled to the first elastic member, atransmission gear configured to be engaged with the plurality of drivinggears, and a screw penetrating the first case such that, when thetransmission gear rotates, the first case may rise or descend along thescrew such that a height difference between the first and second elasticmembers changes.

The second elastic member may surround the first elastic member and isprovided on a second case. The first case is provided inside of thesecond case. A buffer may be provided over the first elastic member. Anupper cover may cover the buffer and the second elastic member. A firstcover may be provided around the first elastic member. A second covermay be provided around the second elastic member.

A bottom of the second layer may be formed with a plurality of recesses.Tops of the plurality of elastic cushions may be configured to beinserted into the plurality of recesses. The recesses may be formedinside of cushion sleeves which extend downward from the bottom of thesecond layer.

A main frame may support the mattress. The main frame may have a firstframe and a second frame rotatably coupled to the first frame, and aplurality of partitions provided between adjacent cases at a rotationaxis of the first and second frames. A bottom of the second layer may beformed with a plurality of recesses, and tops of the plurality ofpartitions may be configured to be inserted into the plurality ofrecesses.

The second layer may include a plurality of buffer plates provided ontop of a plurality of elastic cushions of at least one adjustablecushion. A bottom of the buffer plate may be formed with recesses inwhich the plurality of elastic cushions are inserted.

A pad may be provided on top of the buffer plate. A length of the bufferplate may correspond to a width of the top pad. A width of the bufferplate may correspond to a width equal to a width of the case. Twoadjacent cases may fit in a width direction of the pad. The buffer platemay be configured to cover the two adjacent cases without covering arotation axis between the first and second frames.

Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as a mattress for a bedcomprising a first layer and a second layer provided over the firstlayer. The first layer may have a plurality of regions in which firmnessis independently adjusted by a plurality of motors, each region havingat least one case corresponding to a motor among the plurality of motorsand a plurality of cushions provided in the case to be controlled by themotor. The first layer may be flexible at at least one position betweenadjacent cases provided in adjacent regions, and each cushion mayinclude at least one spring. The second layer may be made of an elasticfoam material. A cover sheet may be configured to surround the firstlayer and the second layer.

A bottom of the second layer may be formed with a plurality of recessesin which top ends of the plurality of cushions are inserted. A pluralityof plates may correspond to the plurality of regions and be configuredto cover the plurality of cushions in each region. A bottom of eachplate may be formed with recesses in which top ends of the plurality ofcushions are inserted. A sheet may be provided over the second layer,the sheet being woven with a plurality of electrode lines configured tosense a pressure.

A base may be provided below the first layer. The base may include aplurality of frames corresponding to the plurality of regions, theplurality of frames being hinged to each other. The first and secondlayers may move with a movement of the base.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” another element or layer, the element or layer can bedirectly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers.In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on”another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layerspresent. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower”, “upper” and the like, may beused herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of oneelement or feature to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated inthe figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements describedas “lower” relative to other elements or features would then be oriented“upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “lower” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Thedevice may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at otherorientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used hereininterpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein with reference tocross-section illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the disclosure.As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result,for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, embodiments of the disclosure should not be construed aslimited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but areto include deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bed, comprising: a mattress, a main frameconfigured to support the mattress, the main frame having a plurality offrames adjacent in a first direction that are rotatable relative to eachother; a plurality of plates adjacent in the first direction, theplurality of plates seated on the plurality of frames, respectively, andat least one joint provided between and hinged to adjacent plates sothat the plurality of plates are rotatable relative to each other,wherein the joint aligns with a rotation axis between adjacent frames ofthe main frame.
 2. The bed of claim 1, wherein the at least one jointincludes three joints hinged to each other.
 3. The bed of claim 2,wherein the joints include a plurality of teeth, and the plates includea plurality of teeth configured to engage with the plurality of teeth ofthe joints.
 4. The bed of claim 3, wherein a hinge pin penetrates theplurality of teeth of the joints and the plates.
 5. The bed of claim 1,wherein each frame includes a plurality of cases coupled to the frame,and each case includes: a plurality of cushions, and a drive configuredto adjust a firmness of the plurality of cushions.
 6. The bed of claim5, wherein each case includes a bottom case coupled to the frame and anupper case in which the cushions are provided, wherein the driveincludes a motor housed between the bottom case and the upper case. 7.The bed of claim 5, wherein each cushion includes: an outer case; anouter spring provided inside of the outer case; an inner case providedinside of the outer case and the outer spring; an inner spring providedin the inner case; a screw configured to change a height of the innerspring relative to the outer spring when the screw is rotated; and atransmission gear configured to rotate the screw, wherein the driveincludes a motor and a gear assembly configured to engage with thetransmission gear to rotate the transmission gear, wherein, when thetransmission gear is rotated, a height of the inner spring changes withrespect to a height of the outer spring, and a firmness of the cushionchanges.
 8. The bed of claim 5, further comprising at least onepartition provided above the joint to be between the adjacent plates andadjacent cases.
 9. The bed of claim 8, wherein the partitions include aplurality of slits to allow air to flow therebetween and a plurality offins at an upper portion.
 10. The bed of claim 1, further comprising aguard surrounding the main frame, the plurality of plates, and themattress, wherein an inner surface of the guard includes a ledge towhich the main frame is coupled.
 11. The bed of claim 10, wherein theguard includes legs provided at corners of the guard to space the mainframe apart from an installation surface.
 12. The bed of claim 1,further comprising a dryer coupled to a bottom of the main frame, thedryer including: a fan configured to suction air in an axial directionand discharge air in a radial direction, a supply duct coupled to anoutlet of the fan and extending in the first direction, the supply ducthaving a plurality of extensions that branch off toward a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction, and a discharge portprovided at ends of the extensions and configured to discharge airupward toward the mattress.
 13. The bed of claim 12, wherein portions ofthe supply duct that are below the rotation axes of the frames areconfigured to be flexible so that the supply duct moves with a rotationof the frames.
 14. The bed of claim 12, further comprising a cover sheetsurrounding the mattress and the seat plate, the cover sheet having aplurality of holes through which air discharged from the dryer flows.15. A bed, comprising: a mattress having a plurality of independentlycontrolled regions, each region having a drive to control a firmness ofthe region; a main frame configured to support the mattress, the mainframe configured to have a plurality of frames that are rotatablerelative to each other to adjust a posture of the main frame; aplurality of legs to space the mattress apart from a floor surface; anda dryer coupled to a bottom of the main frame and configured todischarge air toward the mattress to dry the mattress, the dryerincluding: a fan configured to suction air through an inlet of the fan,a duct coupled to an outlet of the fan to guide discharged air throughthe duct, the duct having at least one flexible section provided under arotation axis between adjacent frames of the main frame, and a pluralityof extensions branched off from the duct, the plurality of extensionshaving discharge ports through which air is discharged upward toward themattress.
 16. The bed of claim 15, further comprising a sheet woven witha plurality of electrodes to sense a pressure in the regions, whereinthe firmness of the region is adjusted based on the sensed pressure. 17.The bed of claim 15, wherein the fan is provided under a foot of themain frame, the duct extends from the fan in a longitudinal direction ofthe main frame toward a head of the main frame, and the extensionsextend in a direction perpendicular to the duct.
 18. The bed of claim15, further comprising discharge ducts provided on top of theextensions, the discharge ducts having discharge slots that extend in adirection parallel to a longitudinal direction of the main frame todischarge air upward.
 19. The bed of claim 15, wherein the mattressincludes: a first layer having a plurality of first springs and aplurality of second springs, wherein the drive includes at least onemotor configured to change a height of the plurality of first springsrelative to the plurality of second springs to adjust the firmness ofthe mattress, and a second layer provided over the first layer, thesecond layer being made of an elastic foam material to provide paddingover the first and second springs.
 20. A bed, comprising: a main framehaving a plurality of frames adjacent in a first direction that arerotatable relative to each other; a seat plate having a plurality ofplates adjacent in the first direction that are rotatable relative toeach other, wherein the plurality of plates are provided over theplurality of frames, respectively; a plurality of cases provided overthe seat plate, the plurality of cases having a plurality of cushions,an elastic foam pad provided over the plurality of spring cushions; atleast one partition provided between adjacent cases at a positioncorresponding to a rotation axis between two adjacent frames; a fanprovided under a first end of the main frame to suction air; a ductcoupled to the fan to receive air discharged from the fan, the ductextending in the first direction toward a second end of the main frameopposite the first end; and a plurality of discharge ports configured todischarge air upward toward the cushions and elastic foam pad.